PEOPLE must get used to Warriors full-back Chris Pennell being in England’s thoughts, insists director of rugby Dean Ryan.

Pennell won’t be involved in England’s Six Nations clash today against Scotland at Twickenham.

But the 27-year-old was called into England’s squad for their last outing against Ireland in Dublin as cover for Mike Brown, who failed to recover from concussion.

“It was a big boost for Chris to be called into the squad for England’s match against Ireland,” said Ryan.

“I think we need to start getting used to Chris being in England’s thoughts.

“We would like to see him play more for England and I am sure it was a tough call between Alex Goode and him.

“I thought Chris’ display for England Saxons in Ireland earlier this year was outstanding and that was in some seriously good company.

“Chris is in England’s thoughts going towards the World Cup and I might be biased but he could have solved some of the challenges which they faced in Dublin.

“Chris has got to hang his hat on that.

“He is probably the best he’s felt this year, which is perfect timing because having him in great shape and great form is a real asset for both us and England.”

Ryan needs Pennell to be fit and raring to go for Warriors’ end-of-season promotion bid from the Greene King IPA Championship.

“We need Chris to be fit because we need a bit of a luck to get through the play-offs and we need all our best players fit,” added Ryan.

“I don’t think Chris is a million miles away from England’s World Cup squad.

“I think helping us to get promoted would be a great platform to showcase his way into the England World Cup squad.

“I think there is a serious discussion to be had about who sits around Brown in the England squad.

“Chris put down a marker in the England Saxons match and I think it would have been difficult for anybody against Ireland in a Test match like we saw a few weeks ago.

“Chris has a different skill set to Goode. I don’t think the match allowed Goode to showcase some of his distribution.

“The spotlight was purely on position and the need to catch the high ball.

“Chris has been pretty good in those areas and he now needs to go away and play well and use the play-offs and, hopefully, the finals as a platform to increase his World Cup hopes.

“But I believe he’s given himself a good chance to do just that.”