Alex Goode looks certain to miss out on England’s summer three test tour of South Africa despite proving he remains one of the most dangerous attacking forces in the Aviva Premiership.
Head coach Eddie Jones has still not contacted Goode, who was in scintillating form again for Saracens as they destroyed Gloucester 62-12 to earn a play-off semi-final at home to Wasps, and the England squad will be named on Thursday. With Harlequins Mike Brown making the England No15 jersey his own under Jones not even an injury that keeps Bath’s Anthony Watson out of the tour party, appears to have cleared the way for Goode to make the trip.
Goode finished the regular season carrying the ball for a staggering 1808 metres and allied to that feat – he finished well head of second placed Olly Woodburn, of Exeter, who made 1652 metres – the full back also featured in the most defenders beaten and most carries sections of the OptaPro statistics.
Goode, who won the last of his 21 England caps against Fiji in November 2016, carried the ball 258 times in a section headed by Leicester’s Sione Kalamafoni on 324 and beat 77 defenders with Telusa Veaniu, of Leicester, topping the list on 89.
Goode is not holding his breath about making the South Africa tour squad, and said: “No word about that (England selection) and as far as I am concerned it is a case of continuing to play well for Sarries. I am lucky to be at a big club where we have these big games and all I can do is play well and give back to Sarries what they have given me.
“If something comes off the back of the play-offs then brilliant but for me it’s about playing for Sarries and coming away with some wins. In patches we have been good this season but a bit scratchy over 80 minutes and we know there is more in us.”