Kyle delight at England call

Kyle Eastmond - England call-up

RUGBY UNION: THERE is no going back now for rising rugby union star Kyle Eastmond — aside from the odd trip to his St Mary’s roots.

The 23 year old capped a promising first season at Bath with a call-up to the England squad.

Former league man Eastmond will be involved in the Barbarians game at Twickenham on Sunday, then jets out with the 32-strong party for a three-match tour to Uruguay and Argentina next month.

It’s been quite a journey for a player who only 18 months ago departed St Helens for the ‘other’ code amid considerable acrimony.

Eastmond admits he was caught by surprise by the call-up: “It was something I never thought about, honestly,” said the former Oldham St Anne’s player. “I was just chilling out in the sun in Bath when the call came. It was an awesome feeling. It is my first full season in rugby union, so to get this call-up so early is a real bonus.”