Leicester Tigers

Leicester Tigers centre Dan Hipkiss will win his first cap for England when they face Wales on Saturday 04 August.

The Test is the first of three warm-up matches before the Rugby World Cup begins in September.

Richard Cockerill expressed that he was positive that on form, Hipkiss is the best outside centre in England.

"He deserves this opportunity. I hope he cements his place in the World Cup team because these opportunities don't come around everyday."

Hipkiss, who turned 25 last month, will make his England debut along side Rugby League legend Andy Farrel.

An Impressive Year

His first cap will finish off an impressive year, but he remains modest about his achievements:

Dan Hipkiss is in great form!

"If you keep yourself fit and are playing week after week I think anyone would improve.

"You get used to the pace of the game, you confront different situations and different pressures."

Hipkiss is now focusing all his excited energy on pulling off a top performance this Saturday:

"I'm trying to dull my emotions a little bit at the moment.

"It's a big thing. I've got a lot of training to get on with this week, I've got a lot of homework to do on the Welsh all leading up to Saturday."

Here's hoping Dan Hipkiss manages to join his fellow Tigers in the World Cup!