Danny Care ready to have fun in Australia after England exile ends

Twelve months ago it was the hope that did for Danny Care. He had been in England exile for the best part of three years but his form had not been ignored by the British & Irish Lions head coach, Warren Gatland, to the extent that he received a letter confirming he was on their long list. When the squad was finally announced Care’s name was missing, however, and any chance of an international reprieve appeared to go with it.

It explains why after making his first England appearance since November 2018 against the Barbarians on Sunday, roughly 16 hours before Eddie Jones finalised his squad for the tour of Australia, Care was taking no chances.

Related: ‘We’ve got to go after them’: Eddie Jones ready for rough reception in Australia

His return, then, is testament to both his form and his perseverance.

Jones, as tends to be the case, had refused to be swayed by the groundswell of public support for Care who, since his last England cap, has excelled for Harlequins. He did, however, send Care a message of congratulations on his form in late April and the 35-year-old spotted his chance.

He decided to “shoot his shot” and ask Jones for a meeting where he would try to convince the head coach of his desire to resurrect his England career.

The pair have not always seen eye to eye but Jones will have appreciated the bold approach and with the modern game – not to mention Australia’s fast pitches – suiting a livewire scrum-half, Care’s shot has hit the target.

“It’s something you think will never happen again. Deep down you go: ‘Maybe there’s a chance.’ I’ve just tried to enjoy it and love every second of it.”

Indeed, it seems that for Care being able to let go of the disappointment of finding himself on the outside looking in