I almost left the country - Wellens

Paul Wellens tackles Russia's Pavel Kalachkine

England's hero against Fiji at Headingley on Saturday, Paul Wellens, admits he almost disappeared abroad after not being named in John Kear's original squad.

The 20-year-old's performance could guarantee him a place in the starting line-up for England's quarter-final against Ireland.

But the St Helens fullback only received a belated call to join the squad and had originally planned to get away from it all.

"It could have been Mexico or somewhere. I was sitting in a travel agent's the day before but decided not to book anything," he explained.

What happened to Leon is unfortunate but, if it elevates me into the starting line-up for the quarter-final, then I'm happy

  Paul Wellens

"I had got a letter saying that, if anybody dropped out of the squad, I would be the next to joining them and I was made up when I got the call from John, even though it was a belated call."

Wellens was called at short notice into the 17 for the opening match against Australia at Twickenham and made an encouraging debut as a substitute in the 22-2 defeat and retained his place for the 76-4 win over Russia on his home ground.

He was displaced by Stuart Spruce for the Fijian match as Kear went through all his permutations but the loss of Leon Pryce created an opening on the right wing for the multi-talented Wellens.

"It's not my preferred position but I'll play anywhere on the park," he said.

"What happened to Leon is unfortunate but, if it elevates me into the starting line-up for the quarter-final, then I'm happy."

He has got tremendous footwork, he is as safe as houses under the high ball and a good one-on-one defender

  John Kear on Wellens

A specialist half-back in his earlier days, Wellens had played on the wing just twice - both times under Ellery Hanley - but, like the invaluable Kris Radlinski, he possesses exceptional versatility.

After the match, John Kear said: "He's a very, very good player and everybody in the camp has warmed to him.

"He is a smashing kid. He has got tremendous footwork, he is as safe as houses under the high ball and a good one-on-one defender. He could play anywhere from one to seven."

Kear drew considerable satisfaction from his side's comfortable win and the fact that they equalled the score the Australians posted against the plucky but overpowered Fijians.

After failing to cross the Kangaroos line at Twickenham, England have run up 142 points in their last two matches and will approach next Saturday's crunch clash with the Ireland match full of confidence.

Wellens said: "It was a big improvement on the Russian game," said Wellens.

"We played pretty well. There were a few sloppy moments which we will have to tidy up but, on the whole, it was pretty good.

"We're looking forward to playing Ireland. I have played with Tommy Martyn and Chris Joynt all season and it will be good to play against them.

"They will be fired up for the game and they'll come here in good spirits."