Nick Easter delighted to be back in England squad for World Cup
Veteran back-rower called up to replace injured Billy Vunipola as hosts gear up for crunch match against Wallabies
Nick Easter said he was "absolutely thrilled" to be in his third Rugby World Cup for England after being summoned to fill the boots of injured number eight Billy Vunipola.
Vunipola's World Cup is over after suffering a knee injury during England's devastating 28-25 defeat by Wales.
I came back at the start of the year, worked hard and just missed out on selection last month. The management said I was on standby and that anything can happen
Easter, now 37, was in the England side that lost the 2007 World Cup final to South Africa in Paris. He could now face Australia at Twickenham on Saturday in a match where defeat would leave England close to becoming the first host nation to exit the tournament at the group stage.
"I'm absolutely thrilled," said Easter. "It's what I've kept digging in for since 2011.
"I came back at the start of the year, worked hard and just missed out on selection last month. The management said I was on standby and that anything can happen.
"It's very unfortunate for Billy. He played very well against Wales and was a star of the Six Nations. You'd like to be in the original squad but clearly I'm very honoured to be here."