Ethan Roots hopes he can resurrect his England career after signing a new deal with Exeter.
Ethan Roots hopes he can resurrect his England career after signing a new deal with Exeter.
The 28-year-old back-row played four times for England in the 2024 Six Nations and toured Japan and New Zealand last summer, but did not play.
New Zealand-born Roots, who qualifies for England through his father, has agreed a two-year extension that commits him to the Sandy Park club until the summer of 2028.
"I'd love to be back in and involved," Roots told BBC Sport when asked about England.
"It was a hard year not being involved last year, but I can see the reasons why.
"I think I'm putting myself in the right position to at least ask some questions and try to push for an England spot or an England jersey.
"But the fruits of your labour you only really see it at the end result, so I'll just keep chipping away here and hopefully get a call or get a text at some point and fingers crossed and I get another chance to prove myself."
The forward moved to Exeter in the summer of 2023 and was one of a group of impressive new faces in his first campaign as a new-look Chiefs side surprised many with a sixth-placed finish.
But last season Exeter managed just four league wins and finished second from bottom - their worst-ever top-flight campaign.
However, Roots has been in good form this season as Exeter have surged to second place in the Prem ahead of a weekend trip to rivals Saracens.
"I'm here to play international rugby, that's my goal, it has been been my goal from the start," added Roots.
"Lots of people have written me off from the early stages, and I always thought it would be nice to prove them wrong, and that was really nice about playing the first time.
"Now it's about proving myself right. Now I just want to prove it to myself that it wasn't just a one-time fluke.
"I really want to be back in that squad and show my worth."
Category: General Sports
