Riki Flutey and Matt Stevens make their comeback to international rugby
Former Brive and the Wasps centre, Riki Flutey has achieved full fitness and is relishing the prospects of making his comeback to international rugby. Riki Flutey makes his comeback after missing half of the Top 14 season due to an injury. 30 year-old Flutey needed an operation to repair his AC joint in his left shoulder.
Flutey is optimistic about his future and confident that he will make a positive mark when he returns to international duty with England. He is hopeful that he will be fully fit to play for his team in the upcoming season. This is also good news for Wasps as they are scheduled to play Harlequins at Twickenham on September 4. Flutey’s return to fitness will strengthen their chances in the season opener. Talking to reporters, Flutey said, “I'm delighted to be back with Wasps and the England elite squad, and my wife and children are very happy, as I am, to be back in London”.
Flutey was under heavy criticism for his French venture. But he believes that it enabled him to experience a different type of rugby as well as a different culture. He emphasised that his decision to go to Brive was right but in the end it didn’t turned out to be lucky for him. He said, “Because of my injuries we were spending as much time in Britain as in Brive. We'd be there for a couple of weeks, back here for three, in Brive for four then in Britain for six. It was crazy and there was no way that my family could settle. That was the reason I left”.
But after making his return to Wasps, Flutey is optimistic about his chances in English Rugby. He appreciated the support he received since his arrival at Wasps. In comparison to Brive, he believes that Wasps is more technically equipped. The Wasps has more physios and trainers than Brive. Physios and trainers are indispensable for current nature of the game. With so much competition, physical fitness of players is of utmost importance for any team. These views were echoed by none other than England’s boss Martin Johnson. “At this level pretty well everybody has got some degree of injury and you play through them regularly”, he said. “Players get battered, they get bruised and we've got a group of people who put them back together”.
Following Flutey’s footsteps is Matt Stevens who intends to make his return to the English team after completing his drug ban. Matt Stevens played 32 Tests for his national team before he was suspended for taking cocaine. As a consequence, he received a two-year suspension. Stevens is hoping to rekindle his career and for that reason he has signed a contract with Aviva Premiership heavyweights Saracens. Saracens is happy to have him in their squad. Saracens’ boss Brendan Venter has even tipped Stevens for Test recall but Martin Johnson is reluctant to comment on Stevens’ future. Johnson believes that Stevens will have to earn his spot in starting 11 through commitment and hard work. He will need to prove both his character and form before team selectors makes the final decision regarding him. Former England’s captain and World Cup winner Martin Johnson said, “He has got to learn how to play rugby again. He has got to do that and play. If anyone is playing well in the Premiership with English qualifications we will consider them.”We have Dan Cole and David Wilson. We have got real quality front-row forwards and there is real competition. We have got competition”.
Johnson is in close contact with Stevens whereas scrimmaging coach Graham Rowntree is assisting Stevens in matters of physical fitness. England’s squad is strengthened by the return of Riki Flutey and Matt Stevens. Both experienced players can help England in recovering their old form and assist Martin Johnson in his quest for silverware. It will also boost England’s bench strength.
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