Rugby: Waldrom tipped for England spot

Thomas Waldrom. Photo / Getty Images

Former Crusaders and Hurricanes No.8 Thomas Waldrom is being tipped for an England call-up after being named the Rugby Players' Association player of the year for his performances for the Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership.

Waldrom, 28, has helped the Tigers reach the Premiership final against Saracens on Sunday (NZT) won the poll of his fellow players ahead of England wing Chris Ashton and former All Blacks first five-eighths Harlequins' Nick Evans when the award was announced yesterday (NZT).

Waldrom, who moved to Leicester at the start of the season after 30 Super rugby appearances for the Hurricanes and 26 times for the Crusaders, played 31 times for the Welford Road club this season.

"It's a huge honour to have won and it has capped a great first season for me in the Premiership. I know it's always said, but being voted for by your fellow players really is a big deal.

"There's no greater compliment and I'd like to thank the players who voted for me. It was a total shock when I found out because there are so many fantastic players in the Premiership who could've won it."

Waldrom paid tribute to his Leicester teammates, especially fellow New Zealanders Craig Newby and Scott Hamilton who helped him settle at the club.

His stellar form has seen him touted as a bolter in the England squad for the rugby World Cup and is expected to be named in coach Martin Johnson's 40-man squad for an England summer training camp, starting on June 20.

Waldrom, whose brother Scott made his All Blacks debut in the midweek match against Munster in 2008, was born in Lower Hutt, but qualifies for England through his grandmother.

He told the Leicester Mercury in March that he would jump at the chance to play for England: "I would definitely take it if I got the nod for the World Cup.

"It would be a great honour to put the shirt on," Waldrom said. "It would be a privilege to play against the All Blacks if the chance came along, and would be a chance for me to show them just how good I am," he said.

- NZPA