British & Irish Lion Ugo Monye is convinced his ability to play full-back and not just on the wing will make Bath Rugby back Anthony Watson a certain pick for Stuart Lancaster at next year's World Cup.
Since his switch from London Irish to The Rec – Watson has experienced game-time in the number 15 jersey and on the wing, prompting an international call-up from England head coach Lancaster in November.
The youngster was involved with the Red Rose camp in the build-up to last autumn's international with Argentina and was even included in Lancaster's 35-man squad for the RBS 6 Nations.
Competition for a back-three spot with England is fierce presently, with Christian Wade, Chris Ashton, Mike Brown, Alex Goode, Ben Foden, Marland Yarde, Jonny May and Jack Nowell all fighting for a jersey.
But with England's opening Test match against New Zealand taking place just a week after the Aviva Premiership final, the likes of Ashton, Goode and Brown could all be missing for Lancaster.
And according to Monye, Watson's patience over the last 12 months deserves reward.
"I think Anthony Watson has been great," said Monye, a Lions tourist in 2009.
"I think it's really good for him how he has learnt his trade at full-back because I think you just get so much appreciation for wing play.
"Also it's so useful when you are picking a World Cup squad of 30 to have people that can play in different positions and that is going to be massive for the squad.
"He will get a chance, no doubt, and I guess with the Premiership final being the same week as the preparation for the first Test out in New Zealand there might be wingers unavailable, so it would open up a berth for somebody like Anthony.
"He has been very patient this year from all reports in the Six Nations and trained fantastically well and his form for Bath has been great. I think he is another top, top player – really exciting."
Although they boast plenty of quality widemen it is Manu Tuilagi – normally a centre but struggling to hold down a starting position due to the form of Luther Burrell and Billy Twelvetrees – that Monye believes will provide the biggest obstacle for Watson.
"I think with the partnership of Luther Burrell and Billy Twelvetrees in the centres for England, if I was Stuart Lancaster I would have Manu on the wing now," added Monye. "It could be a problem for Anthony and others.
"Just give him a roaming role and I think he could be exceptional on the wing. He is a dangerous player who attracts so much attention in defence.
"You're a year and a half out from the World Cup and you have a look at it. Billy and Luther seem so settled there and they work really well so I think it would be a tough call to drop one of those guys for Manu.
"But Manu is too big a character and too big a player not to have in your team. You have got to factor in to get all the best players on the pitch but also all in the right position."Ugo Monye was speaking at the launch of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Policy. Sign up for exclusive access to interviews and competitions at premiershiprugby.com/avivarugbypolicy.
