Welsh Rugby
Warrior Percival eyes Wales call up
ESPN Staff
December 16, 2012
Worcester's James Percival charges forward, Worcester Warriors v Gloucester, Aviva Premiership, Sixways, Worcester, England, January 7, 2012
James Percival on the charge for Worcester © Getty Images
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Worcester Warriors second-row James Percival is keeping his fingers crossed over a call-up to the Welsh national side despite playing for the England Under-21s.

Percival is currently one of the Aviva Premiership's in-form second-rows but is seemingly not on England's radar. With this in mind, Percival has made contact with Wales boss Warren Gatland about possibly pulling on the famous red shirt.

The 29-year-old qualifies for Wales through his grandmother and believes he has a lot to offer on the Test stage. "I am the top ball-career and tackler among second-rows in the Premiership according to Opta stats," Percival told the Rugby Paper. "International rugby is a massive goal of mine. It is the pinnacle of your career. It would be a massive honour.

"If someone believes in me enough to play international rugby I will give them 100 per cent. I am proud of my Welsh heritage as I am of my English heritage. I played for Wales Schools when I was 18 and then got put into the England age-grade system.

"The team manager at Worcester [Alan Carter] is Welsh and it was him who mentioned it to me. The possibility had always been there but because I had played for England U21s and come through their academy set-up I had not thought of it. As I had only played age-grade rugby I am not tied to anything.

"My agent has been in touch with Warren Gatland so the Wales management know of my eligibility and I am just keeping my fingers crossed something happens."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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