England
Elliot Daly out to impress Eddie Jones after 'devastating' World Cup snub
Mark Coughlan
December 11, 2015
Elliot Daly celebrates his Wasps try against Saracens
Elliot Daly celebrates his Wasps try against Saracens© David Rogers/Getty Images

There's a new man in charge at Twickenham, and Wasps centre Elliot Daly is eager to impress him.

Eddie Jones is just one week into his role as England coach, and with the Six Nations on the horizon, Daly could not have picked a better time to be hitting form with Wasps.

Seeing off Leinster 33-6 in the first round of this season's European Champions Cup was impressive. Following it up with a 32-6 dismantling of holders Toulon was even better, and the 23-year-old centre has been crucial to those successes.

Daly -- who was one of the first names cut from England's 50-man Rugby World Cup training squad -- is not getting ahead of himself, though.

"When I was named in the 50-man squad, I was ecstatic obviously," he said. "The buzz around the squad was massive, and all the boys wanted to make a big marker on home ground.

"It was so disappointing for them what happened, but there's a big chance to bounce back with a new coach now, and obviously I want to be in the squad.

"It was devastating to miss out. That's definitely one of my aims to get back in there. Last year I was in the Saxons, and if that's where I'm needed, I will try to get into that squad again and just lay down a marker where I can.

"I definitely want to make that leap up to the main squad, though."

On the prospect of working with the new England coach, Daly added: "I don't know much about Eddie Jones, to be honest, but the way Japan played in the World Cup, I think it's going to be very similar to what Stuart Lancaster was trying to do. 

"They played with a no-fear aspect to their game, which is perfectly suited to Wasps' style. Actually, I think a lot of the teams in the Premiership are trying to play that brand of rugby, so I think the English game is definitely getting more exciting and more expansive. So, if that can come to the international stage, that would be amazing.

© David Rogers/Getty Images

"I try to put it out of my mind, though. Some players do think about the international front week in, week out, but I just want to do everything I can for Wasps, and if anything comes up after that, amazing.

"Your club is your bread and butter -- so if they are winning, then it's a happy camp."

And Wasps are certainly winning -- in Europe, at least. After their impressive opening victories, a double header against Bath could go a long way to deciding Pool A. The pressure of being favourites, though, will be a different one for the men in black.

"Bath are probably struggling for their form at the moment, and that's probably not a good thing for us," Daly admitted, "because when they do click, they are a very good team.

"They're not far off it at the moment, so it's going to be two very hard games. We've got them at home first, so it'll be good to get a bit of an advantage, then just see what we can get down in Bath.

"We always back ourselves at the Ricoh Arena, even after the Exeter defeat. The support's always incredible, and we're getting such massive crowds.

"It's such a difference to Adams Park, where it was 4-5000 compared to the 18-19,000 we're getting now. We want to perform for them."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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