Goode unfazed as England opportunity beckons

Uncapped Leicester flyhalf Andy Goode says he is ready to handle the pressure of being England's goalkicker should his call up to the world champions' Six Nations training squad lead to time on the pitch.

The 24-year-old is the Premier-ship's leading scorer with 162 points, and with England flyhalf Charlie Hodgson and centre Olly Barkley having poor kicking days in last weekend's 18-17 defeat by France, Goode could well expect a place on the bench against Ireland on Feb. 27.

"I wouldn't be a goal-kicker if I didn't think I could handle the pressure," Goode said.

"It's no good kicking 10 from 10 if you're winning 60-0, it's all about kicking your goals when it matters most - under pressure. I enjoy kicking under pressure and I thought I coped well in those two Wasps matches in the Heineken Cup - games many people said were virtually played at test-match level."

Goode's call-up to Andy Robinson's squad comes after a fine performance for England's A team in their win over France A last week.