I will be no threat to Charlie - Barkley

Jun 1 2006 Western Mail

OLLY BARKLEY, who has replaced Charlie Hodgson at fly-half on England's two-Test tour of Australia, sees his call-up as an opportunity to establish himself in the side rather than simply challenge his big friend for the No 10 shirt.

The Bath player, who missed this year's Six Nations through injury, knows it would require something special to depose Hodgson, who has starred for both England and Guinness Premiership champions Sale this season.

"Charlie's been playing outstandingly well and he's the form 10 in Europe at the moment," said Barkley, who has played most of his recent rugby in the centre because of injuries at his club.

He returned to fly-half to contribute 21 points in England's 46-19 victory over the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday, coming out on top in the personal duel with his boyhood hero Carlos Spencer.

"It's a long time since I was playing 10 at Twickenham in a white shirt, in fact it's a long time since I was playing 10 full stop," he said.

Barkley, who had not figured at fly-half for England since the France game in March 2004, is still pondering whether he would rather play there or inside centre.

"I'm still undecided. I enjoy the variety of playing at 12 because you can inter-change a bit and that keeps you fresh," he said.

It also offers him the prospect of playing alongside Hodgson, one of England's key players handed a summer's rest before the long slog through to next summer's World Cup finals in France.

"Charlie's playing fantastically at the moment. He's a good friend of mine and I'm delighted for him," said Barkley.