Attwood: Back in an England shirt

The Bath-bound lock made his Test debut against New Zealand in November before receiving a stamping ban which ruled him out of England's RBS 6 Nations title campaign.

The incident, which occurred in Gloucester's home Amlin Challenge Cup tie with La Rochelle, came just months after Attwood had faced two stamping charges on England's summer tour of Australia.

Attwood had been cited for two counts of stamping following England's draw with the Australian Barbarians in Perth, but they were thrown out on a technicality.

Attwood will pull on an England jersey again on Sunday for the non-cap international against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

And Attwood is relishing the opportunity to prove to Martin Johnson that he deserves a place in England's 50-man World Cup training squad.

"I don't have a nasty track record. It is not something that has plagued me throughout my career," said Attwood.

"I had a run-in in the summer in Australia and again in December. It is something that has come about but it has not been a feature throughout my career so far.

"I am not worried it will creep more into my game. I will just keep on top of it and not step over the mark.

"This game is massive for me. The second half of the season wasn't what I was hoping for given how well the first half went for me.

"I am on the back foot, I am aware of that, but having broken back into the Gloucester team I feel my form is coming back.

"It is a chance to put a marker down and squeeze my way into the World Cup training camp. I am excited about involvement. It should be quite an exciting summer for me."

Attwood's suspension opened the door for Louis Deacon to reclaim his place in the England set-up, a chance the Leicester lock took with both hands.

He then found it difficult to break back into the Gloucester team, a process not helped by the fact he had already confirmed a summer move to Bath.

But Johnson spoke with Attwood after the ban and he remained part of the squad that helped England prepare for their Six Nations title success.

"We talked about the consequences really, it was more of a practical nature than a mental assessment. We talked about the implications of what had happened," said Attwood.

"It was a case of how they could use me in supporting the team throughout the Six Nations period.

"I certainly didn't feel out of sorts in that England environment.

"I think some people took to me in the way I handle myself and go about my business. Hopefully I can squeeze myself back into that environment."

Saracens prop Matt Stevens will take his first step on the road to an international return - and a potential World Cup place - when he links up with England Saxons on Monday.

Stevens, who played his last Test in November 2008 before serving a two-year drugs ban, has been earmarked to start in his preferred tight-head position in the forthcoming Churchill Cup campaign.

The 28-year-old believes he has "every chance" of forcing his way into Johnson's plans for the World Cup, just 12 games into his return to Aviva Premiership rugby with Saracens.

"I am joining up with the Saxons on Monday and I have been told that is a big chance for me to prove myself," Stevens revealed.

"Tight-head is my preferred position and that is where they want me to play for the Saxons. The ball is in my court. I have just got to perform well."

Stevens will link up with the Saxons two days after playing for Saracens in the Premiership final against Leicester - and 24 hours after an England XV take on the Barbarians.