Mark McCall believes Alex Goode simply has to be in England coach Martin Johnson’s World Cup plans after he helped Saracens seal a Premiership home semi-final.
Goode was the star of the show at Vicarage Road as Saracens demolished Gloucester 35-12 – claiming 15 points and playing a major hand in Schalk Brits’ storming opening try.
The 22-year-old started the move that saw Brits gallop home after allowing the South African to exchange passes with James Short before stepping up to convert the first try of the game.
Goode has featured at England Under-20 level and for the second-string Saxons but has been overlooked by Johnson for the main team, not even getting a look in during the RBS 6 Nations.
However Saracens coach McCall insists on this latest performance, that secured Sarries a home semi-final play-off, Johnson has no choice but to include him in his 50-man World Cup training squad in June.
“A lot of our English players were brilliant against Gloucester. I thought Alex was magnificent and hopefully someone has taken a bit of notice,” said McCall.
“Brad Barritt does so much work and gets us over the gain line so often and Andy Saull was extraordinary when he came off the bench in the second half.
“And for me Alex is the best full-back around. He is brilliant and really showed what he can do when given the chance against Gloucester.”
