ALTHOUGH Alex Grove will not be lining up at Auckland’s Eden Park tomorrow morning when his Scotland take on fierce rivals England in the crucial Rugby World Cup pool ‘B’ encounter, he has by no means given up on his international dreams.

The Sixways academy-produced centre won three caps for his country, but missed out on selection for Andy Robinson’s 30-man squad to go to New Zealand.

However, he is planning to put in some stellar performances for Worcester Warriors this season in a bid to force his way into Robinson’s Six Nations reckoning.

Grove said: “Without question, I wish I was involved out in New Zealand now. You always try and work out where you are in the pecking order and I thought that if I’d made the World Cup squad, I would have been right on the edge of it.

“I would have had to have been right on top form when the squad was getting picked, but it wasn’t the best year for me last year and it didn’t help playing Championship rugby. I still enjoyed my rugby with Worcester last year, as well as my spell at Edinburgh.”

The 23-year-old midfielder added: “When the World Cup squad was announced, I had some feedback, but it was more about long-term goals.

“They were very honest with me — I had a call from Andy saying I wouldn’t make the 30-man squad, but he has been watching my games and is looking ahead to the Six Nations.

“My focus is solely on Worcester at the moment, but if I am fit, playing well and regularly, then I will be challenging for a spot in the Scotland squad.

“It’s one step at a time, but I need to be playing well here and it will help if we can start notching up a few wins.

“Hopefully, Scotland will then come sniffing.”