Riki Flutey has set his sights on the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Preview: England and Scotland look to end on a high

News: Monye ready for Calcutta Cup bow

News: PRA seek legal advice over RFU letter

Features: Springboks primed for Lions challenge

Players/Officials: Riki Flutey

Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations

Teams: England

England centre Riki Flutey has fixed his sights on the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa later this year - a feat that would make him the first player to play for and against the Lions.

Flutey played for Wellington against the Lions in 2005 and after completing his three-year England residency he now has his sights on the red jersey. Since his England debut in November Flutey has grown into international rugby, scoring two tries against France and helping England to an emphatic 34-10 victory.

"I am all about playing consistently good rugby for England and if I can keep that up then hopefully other things will fall into place," said Flutey, whose club boss at Wasps, Ian McGeechan, will select the touring party. "Every player playing in the Six Nations who is eligible for the Lions I am sure has it in the back of their minds because at the end of the day it is the ultimate goal.

"In 2005 I played against the Lions for Wellington and that was a fantastic occasion. The Lions are well respected and it is huge in New Zealand. I remember as a kid my father had all the old Lions tapes."

Flutey has begun to show his club form in the rarefied atmosphere of Test rugby, marking him as a contender for the Lions alongside Welshmen Gavin Henson and Jamie Roberts and Irish centre Gordon D'Arcy.

"I got quite a big shock in the first couple of games for England," said Flutey. "I am all about communicating and playing in front of such fantastic crowds you can hardly hear each other on the pitch. You are often yelling for lost causes.

"In the autumn we were a group of guys who had come together, we had new attacking formations and defensive plays. Sometimes it can take a bit of time. I feel I am becoming more confident and comfortable in my role."

Flutey's selection would cap an amazing about face for a player who represented New Zealand at all age grade levels aside from Test match before moving to London Irish and then Wasps, recently signing a deal with French Top 14 side Brive.

"From the day I was asked to be in the squad by Johnno until now, this is everything I expected and wanted to achieve," he said. "I have loved this environment and representing England. I haven't had any stick for quite some time now about being Kiwi so I think they are getting more comfortable with me being around! Every New Zealand kid's dream was to play for the All Blacks but I have no regrets whatsoever."