Convert Paul tipped for early England call-up

LONDON - The drums are beating louder for Kiwi league star Henry Paul to get a call-up to the England rugby squad after code switcher Iestyn Harris was fast-tracked into the Welsh team.

Harris was yesterday included in Wales 28-man training squad for the forthcoming internationals against Argentina, Tonga and Australia.

Harris, who made his full rugby debut for Cardiff last Saturday, is a carbon-copy of Paul - a goal-kicking, ball distributing first five-eighth.

Like Harris, former Bradford Bulls league star Paul made a stunning rugby debut at the weekend.

He scored 28 points for Gloucester against Caerphilly in a display that prompted commentators to rate him a near certainty to join England training sessions within the next few weeks.

Part-Maori Paul, who has an English grandparent, is likely to follow the speedy path of former Wigan league star Jason Robinson into an England jersey.

In his Gloucester debut, he instantly became a club hero as they overran Welsh side Caerphilly by 15 tries to two.

Paul, aged 27, who helped Bradford Bulls to win England's Super League final a fortnight ago, looked assured enough on his return to union. He had a short stint with Bath five years ago.

"Paul looked positionally secure, though he had little to do in defence, and linked well with his fellow three-quarters, offering a helping hand in several tries," the Daily Telegraph said.

Clive Woodward, the England manager, was upbeat.

"As we found with Jason Robinson, the more you expose these players to training at a high level, the more you help their development."

Harris was yesterday touted the saviour of Welsh rugby when included in the Wales squad.

His full debut for Cardiff against Glasgow produced 31 points, including three tries, and his display was labelled "out of this world" by legendary Welsh first five-eighth Barry John.

It persuaded Wales coach Graham Henry to include him in the squad, along with another league convert, Anthony Sullivan. Harris switched to union after seven years in league.

Wales play Argentina on November 10, Tonga a week later and the Wallabies on November 25.

- NZPA