Andy Goode was in the right place at the right time as England looked for someone to steady the ship according to Will Greenwood in The Daily Telegraph.
"Here we are again, and the back-up boy is back in town, grinning from ear to ear. It may not be the Hollywood smile of his rivals, but his place in England's team against Italy at Twickenham on Saturday has been earned the hard way.
"Goode is a player who has seen it all. He has been picked, had shockers, been dropped, and fought his way to the top again. He is not a dreamer, he is a realist.
"Moving to France to play rugby for Brive was not a decision taken to further an international career. It was based on an understanding of where he stood in the pecking order, on the needs of his young family, and the effect it would have on his bank balance.
"He wasn't running away. He did the maths. He plays the percentages in life and the game.
No one was more surprised when England came calling than he was. Ask Andy about his public persona and it is clear he understands what is going on. "I know I am not everyone's cup of tea. But I also know my strengths and weaknesses."
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