World Cup winner Mike Tindall is confident of being fit for the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand despite missing the whole of the Six Nations through injury.
A shoulder and, more recently, foot injury have kept the Bath and England centre sidelined since December, but Tindall, who will play for Bath’s west-country rivals Gloucester next season, told BBC’s Rugby Special programme he would be fit in time for the summer tour.
"I’m aiming to be fit by 18 April and hope I can play from then," he said.
"I’ve spoken to Sir Clive Woodward and he understands the situation, so I just hope that I can get on the tour."
Standing in the 26-year-old’s way for a place in the Test side stand Ireland pair Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy as well as rising Wales star Gavin Henson.
But, after missing out on the 2001 tour to Australia with a knee injury, Tindall says he will be happy just to have the chance to compete for the famous red shirt.
"I’m quite laid back about it to be honest – it’s quite hard for me to expect to be pushing for a Test spot," he said.
"But after what’s happened this season at least Clive knows I’ll be 100% fresh!"
