OLLY Barkley is refusing to get carried away after being called into England's Six Nations training squad.
Barkley, capped once on a tour to North America in 2001, joined prop Matt Stevens, plus colleagues Iain Balshaw, Mike Catt, Steve Borthwick and Danny Grewcock in Sir Clive Woodward's 43-man selection.
Barkley's magnificent club form, with 312 points scored so far, made his call-up richly deserved.
And with Jonny Wilkinson and Sale's Charlie Hodgson both looking likely to miss the championship opener against Italy on February 15, Woodward could yet turn to the youngster.
But Barkley insisted: "I am delighted to be called up.
"However, with Jonny and Charlie being at the top of the England pecking order and this being a 43-man squad, this is just a tiny step on what is a very big ladder.
"I have to remain focused on what I am doing here with Bath as we have two very big games coming up over the next couple of weeks."
Stevens, who played in England's non-cap clash against the New Zealand Barbarians in December, was also thrilled by his call.
The South African born prop, who has not started a Zurich Premiership for Bath, admitted: "The last few months have been like a whirlwind for me It has all come very quickly, but I am delighted.
BATH'S Simon Danielli and Zimbabwe-born Scott Gray have been included in Scotland's 35-man squad for the Six Nations Championship.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article