By Mark Orlovac
BBC Sport at Twickenham |
 Hipkiss celebrates his man-of-the-match display against the Ospreys |
Dan Hipkiss finally picked up his first trophy in a Tigers shirt after Leicester defeated the Ospreys in Sunday's EDF Energy Cup final. But his sparkling man-of-the-match display at a sun-drenched Twickenham may have also done enough to get him included in England's World Cup squad.
All season Leicester followers have been singing the praises of the 24-year-old centre but that has now reached a crescendo after he tormented the Ospreys defence in the 41-35 win.
"I just can't see how they would leave him out of the squad because he is a guy that can make something out of nothing in a really tight game," Tigers lock Ben Kay told BBC Sport.
"He is a highly underrated player and I definitely think he should be going to the World Cup.
"If he does not go to France then it will be England's loss, there are not many people who can do his job better."
It has been a long journey for Hipkiss who joined the Leicester academy as a teenager but feared his fledging career was over in 1999 when he tore a cruciate ligament in his left knee.
 | I think he has a huge future |
He battled back to score on his Leicester debut against Biarritz in 2002 and since then has become a regular in the Tigers squad.
The Ipswich-born former England sevens player scored a last-minute try against the Ospreys in the Heineken Cup last season but this campaign he has really flourished, playing a pivotal role in Leicester's bid for an unprecedented treble.
And with Mike Tindall ruled out of the summer tour to South Africa with a broken leg, Hipkiss could be called upon to add spark to England's midfield.
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"He has all the flash steps and everything else which perhaps a lot of other players have," added Kay.
"But what he does that no-one else does is stay on his feet and allow the forwards to drag him through a hole that is not there.
"He has developed our style of play and often we will look to latch on to him and use his strength.
 Hipkiss created the winning try against Stade Francais earlier this month |
"He is a quiet and unassuming guy. I think he has a huge future and he deserves it because he has had a few knocks early in his career and has bounced back."
There was plenty of pressure on the outside centre to deliver against the Ospreys with people talking up his England claims after a string of impressive performances.
He did not disappoint and made his mark after just four minutes with a break that led to Leicester's first penalty chance.
Hipkiss never looked back and his straight-line running, creativity, strength and guile were a constant threat to his Welsh opponents.
He went onto create two of Leicester's five tries as well producing a sublime step and break that carved the Ospreys wide open in the second half.
And Leicester coach Pat Howard believes England coach Brian Ashton should now give Hipkiss his chance.
| In a World Cup year Dan just might be that guy who is needed to come on a make a difference |
"I have spoken to Brian about him and I think he should be called into the squad," said Howard.
"It all depends on how England want to play but I think Danny is the form outside centre in the competition in terms of Englishmen on offer and he deserves a shot.
"He is holding down his place and to do that in this first team - you are a good player.
"In a World Cup year Dan just might be that guy who is needed to come on and make a difference."
For his part, Hipkiss refuses to get carried away with all the hype and after the final he simply replied "it's not really for me to comment" when asked about his World Cup hopes.
Over the years there have been plenty of players who have grabbed the headlines but have failed to make that final step.
But with his performance at Twickenham highlighting what the great and good at Welford Road have known for some time, his senior international career must surely start sooner rather than later.
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