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Warrior keen to win Welsh honours

Worcester lock James Percival says he would love the chance to play for Wales.

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The 29-year-old has represented England at U21 level but is eligible for Wales through his grandmother.

Percival wore Welsh colours in the schoolboy ranks and now has his heart set on winning a call up to Warren Gatland’s senior squad in the near future.

Wales have been hit hard by injuries in the second row slot, with both Alun Wyn Jones and Ian Evans struggling to return to fitness in time for the Six Nations in the spring.

And having performed consistently and effectively in the Aviva Premiership so far this season, Percival admits he has already sounded out Gatland to let him know of his availability.

“My agent has been in touch with Warren Gatland so the Wales management know of my eligibility and I am just keeping my fingers crossed something happens,” Percival told the Rugby Paper.

“If someone believes in me enough to play international rugby I will give them 100 per cent. I am proud of my Welsh heritage as I am of my English heritage. I played for Wales Schools when I was 18 and then got put into the England age-grade system.

“The team manager at Worcester (Alan Carter) is Welsh and it was him who mentioned it to me. The possibility had always been there but because I had played for England U21s and come through their academy set-up I had not thought of it. As I had only played age-grade rugby I am not tied to anything.

“I am the top ball-career and tackler among second-rows in the Premiership according to Opta stats.

“International rugby is a massive goal of mine. It is the pinnacle of your career. It would be a massive honour.”

Percival is currently in his second spell with Worcester, having rejoined the club from Harlequins at the end of the 2010/11 campaign.

He has also played for Northampton and Bedford and was a Grand Slam winner with England U21s in 2004.

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