England's New Flanker Sounds Australian But Talks Up the England Jersey

When the Bath flanker Michael Lipman was named in the England squad to tour New Zealand and Australia next month, one of the first messages he received was from a player he may end up marking in the June 26 Test against the Wallabies at Brisbane.

George Smith was a member of the Australia Under-19 squad along with Lipman five years ago and they have remained firm friends. "He sent me a text message to the effect that he was looking forward to the Brisbane game even more now," said the 24-year-old Lipman, who was born in London but raised in Manly.

When Lipman returned to England three years ago, after being offered a contract by Bristol, he knew that, if he were to have an international career, it would be with England, having failed to land a place in one of Australia's Super 12 sides. His claims to nationality are stronger than many who have pulled on the white jersey but he still refers to Sydney as home and admits his dream as a schoolboy was to wear the Wallaby green and gold.

"It does not mean that I do not cherish the England jersey," said Lipman. "Pulling it on last year when we played the Barbarians at Twickenham marked the proudest moment of my career. My father is English and my mother is Australian. I have an Australian accent and that is where most of my family and close friends live but the fact I have pulled on an England jersey says it all about my commitment."

Lipman has a twin brother, James, who plays club rugby in Sydney for Warringah, the side the flanker was playing for in 2001 when his agent sent his CV to a number of clubs in England. Bristol offered him a one-year contract and he readily swapped the sun and sea of Sydney for Gloucestershire.

He stayed there for two years before being made a free agent after Bristol were relegated, then made the short journey to Bath where he has been almost ever present this season and, according to the club's captain Danny Grewcock, a significant factor behind their rise from the relegation zone to the top of the table.

"He is a flanker in the mould of Neil Back," said the England second-row Grewcock. "He has made a big difference to the side and his call-up into the England squad gives him a great opportunity, which I am sure he will take."

The England head coach Sir Clive Woodward has also likened Lipman to Back, though the player Lipman modelled himself on was another Leicester flanker, the former All Black Josh Kronfeld.

"I loved watching the All Blacks when he was at his peak," he said. "I keep getting asked whom I supported when England played Australia in the World Cup final but I did not watch the game wanting anyone to win or lose.

"I had friends playing on both sides and wanted to see a great game of rugby I could learn something from. The thing about growing up in Australia is that sport rules: I knew it was going to be tough to make it as a professional rugby player there because of the number of outstanding open-side flankers who were around, led by George, and I did not hesitate when Bristol offered me a contract.

"I was surprised they came in for me because they did not have much to go on, but working with Dean Ryan benefited my game considerably and, while it took a while to get used to the colder, wetter weather and the far longer season, I was playing in the best rugby country in the world and I have never had cause to regret my decision."

The pain of Bristol's relegation last season would be eased for Lipman if Bath defeat Wasps at Twickenham tomorrow to be crowned English champions. "What happened with Bristol was a shock to the system: one minute I had a contract and the next I was a free agent. To go from relegation to the title in one year would be a fairy tale."

Lipman has been part of arguably the best back row in the Premiership this season with Andy Beattie and Isaac Feaunati. "We have played almost all the games together and we complement each other," said Lipman. "Wasps have not got a bad unit, mind, but in terms of heart and spirit and guys who want to get out there and play, I wouldn't pass on our back row."