CHRIS Horsman has rejected the suggestion he's turned his back on England.

Worcester Rugby Club's tight-head prop, who has enjoyed an impressive debut season at Sixways, looks set to become a Welsh international later this year.

The English-born forward qualifies, through residency, for Wales on May 1 and, despite calls from his club coaches John Brain and Andy Keast for England to take a look, Horsman insists he's had no contact from the world champions.

"I haven't turned my back on England because I've never been involved," he said.

"I've had no contact with the English management and I don't know what they think of me.

"There's very little I can do about it. At present, I am enjoying my rugby at Worcester. Things are going really well. After that, Wales have been really great.

"I spoke to Mike Ruddock this week and he asked me how things were going. They're certainly keeping tabs on me. They have invited me to squad training and I've gone and enjoyed it.

"When my residency comes up and if they give me the opportunity to play for them, then I am going to grab it with both hands.

"For someone to say I'm turning my back on England is wrong because I've never had the opportunity to say no to anything. It would be a little arrogant for me to turn my back on a country anyway because I've never played international rugby.

"It doesn't surprise me that England haven't been in touch because they've got some great tight-heads in their set-up."

Horsman has won universal acclaim in recent weeks because of some ultra consistent displays for Worcester.

His efforts, plus the overall performance of the Sixways pack, have put him back on the international map after successfully battling testicular cancer.

However, the 27-year-old is hardly getting carried away with the press accolades.

"I don't go into what's being written about me," he said. "I could have a shocker tonight against Sale and then in the next game. Then, nobody would be saying what a good player I am.

"At present, I'm very lucky to be part of a successful pack of forwards. I'm lucky to be getting some recognition for it but I wouldn't be getting that if the other seven guys weren't putting in the performances that they are.

"As long as I keep my head down and keep grafting then, if people want to say nice things about me and national selectors want to pick me, that's great. However, the only way I'm going to get that is to continue to work hard.

"I can't believe anything that's written about me because it can change very quickly. You only get what you put in and I see myself as a hard-working professional.

"I'm not the most naturally gifted player but I work hard. To be honest, what John Brain and Tony Windo think of me is far more important than what somebody is writing in the paper.

"These are the guys that I'm going out on the field with and have to train with every day. Having their respect is a massive, massive thing for me."

Horsman will find himself up against Stuart Turner tonight in the front-row battle as Sale Sharks come to Sixways and the former Celtic Warrior is expecting a big test.

"We're really looking forward to it," he said. "It's going to be a massive game. They've got a physical pack and some great backs so it's probably going to be the toughest game we've had this season.

"I know they've got a few players missing but they're still packed full of internationals and a lot more internationals than we have. So, we're really going to have to front up."