WORCESTER Warriors fullback Chris Pennell says his World Cup dreams are alive after he was named in the England Saxons squad to face Ireland Wolfhounds in Cork next Friday.

Pennell is the only Championship player in the England squad and admits he cannot wait to get back involved in the international set-up on Monday.

The 27-year-old was giving his daughter her dinner when he received a phonecall from England coach Andy Farrell on Tuesday afternoon.

“That one phonecall and from going from nothing to being in the squad meant a huge amount,” said Pennell, who has made 134 appearances for Warriors.

“I was feeding my little girl her dinner at the time and, once I got off the phone, she didn’t get much food for the next five minutes because I was running around the kitchen.

Being selected is more than I could have hoped for at this stage.”

The Worcester-born star made his full England debut last summer after coming on as a replacement against the All Blacks at Eden Park.

Pennell played through Worcester’s opening-day defeat against Bristol with a groin injury, which needed surgery and kept him out of action for almost two months.

However, Pennell has since played seven games for Warriors and scored tries in each of their last three Greene King IPA Championship outings.

While Pennell has not been included in the England senior training squad, he is delighted to get a chance to showcase his skills with the Saxons alongside ex-Worcester duo Matt Kvesic and Matt Mullan.

“I will hopefully get some game-time on the Friday night and, ultimately, I am much better off going down that route as opposed to being in the main squad and not playing,”

he said.

“Physically, I am feeling better every week so I am not far off where I was at the end of last season. It all comes down to next week and having a good week with the guys and, hopefully, putting my hand up for things in the future.”

Pennell says his ultimate goal is to make it into England’s World Cup squad for this autumn’s tournament.

“People get given opportunities through injury and I think that’s probably why I am getting a shot this time after Ben Foden’s injury,” said Pennell.

“The three obvious full backs are Mike Brown, Alex Goode and Foden and I would like to think I am sitting there or thereabouts.

"Unfortunately, due to Ben’s injury the door has opened a little bit more for me. You never wish an injury upon anybody and it’s so unfortunate for him but that’s how people get opportunities and I am grateful for that.”