Kyle’s mission

KYLE Eastmond wants to keep the England international call-ups coming as excitement ahead of next year’s World Cup on home soil begins to build.

The Oldham-born Bath centre had a great 2013-14 season for the south-west side.

He starred consistently as fellow Oldhamer Mike Ford’s squad secured fifth placed in the Aviva Premiership table and reached the the Amlin Challenge Cup final, which they lost to Northampton Saints.

Last season’s impressive displays earned former St Helens rugby league starlet Eastmond a call-up to Stuart Lancaster’s squad for the recent tour to New Zealand, and though England slipped to a 3-0 Test series defeat, the 24-year-old lapped up his piece of the action in the first and third test and is hungry for more.

Eastmond – who now has three England caps – told the Chronicle: “New Zealand was probably the best experience I’ve had so far in union.

“Going on tour with the the England team, and just being in and around that environment every day, meant I learned so much it was untrue really.

“Being around the top class coaches was brilliant, but there is no tougher place around than New Zealand.

“In the first Test I thought we did really well and got a lot out of the game, and equally in the third Test there were plenty of positives to take out of the defeat. I learned a lot of lessons, as did the team, so because of that I thought it was a great tour.”

Although in hugely talented company on the tour, Eastmond didn’t feel out of place or unworthy of a call-up.

He added: “I don’t get overawed by being around big names and big characters.

“Of course I’ve got massive respect for some of the lads and the things that they’ve done, but I’ve got confidence in my own rugby ability and at the end of the day that’s what it’s all about.

“It’s all about my club rugby now. I need to keep my head down, keep playing well, and hopefully the call-ups will keep coming.

“Everybody will now have the 2015 World Cup at the back of their minds, and there’s going to be massive competition for places.”

The World Cup is still more than a year away, however, so Eastmond’s focus right now is on Bath’s 2014-15 campaign.

The Oldham favourite said: “There’s a big season ahead for Bath.

“We did well last season, just missing out on the play-offs, but we secured a European Champions Cup place so there’s a lot to play for.”

Eastmond admits he does still miss his home town, but he also appears extremely content with his now two-year Wiltshire adventure and the more laid back nature of the folk down in the south-west.

He added: “It does take a bit of time, but I’ve settled in now and life is great. I still get to see plenty of my family and friends. The contrast between Bath and Oldham is massive as you might imagine, but I’m loving it down there.”