Shaun at the head

When England take to the field for their first World Cup match against the USA on Saturday the surrounding villages of Tipton, in the Black Country, will hold their breath. From there heralds one of England most important, and perhaps surprising, players for the forthcoming tournament.

Four years ago, on the morning of the World Cup final, Shaun Perry settled down for a full English and a pint with many of the people who will again fill the clubhouse at Dudley Kingswinford throughout this year's tournament. But since 'that drop goal' Perry's life has changed inexorably. As the country went rugby mad, it dawned on Perry that he had to test himself beyond the bounds of National Division Three North, and the comfy existence he had with DK. Its been quite a journey.

He made the move from Dudley Kingswinford to Division One side Coventry. While at Cov, a post match argument with the Bristol Director of rugby Richard Hill led to him being offered a contract with the West Country club, who were on their way back to the Premiership.

Perry laughs at the recollection, "I scored a try from a tap and go against Bristol, it was announced over the tannoy and we were preparing for the conversion when Matt Salter (the Bristol Captain) complained to the referee.

The decision was reversed and I was furious. I had quite a heated conversation with Hilly about it after the game, he said the referee was right not to award it and I thought it was perfectly OK. It ended with him calling me son, and me snapping back 'Don't you call me son!' If only I'd known he'd go on to become my boss."

From Bristol to captain of the England Saxons in his first season of professional rugby and then on to a try scoring debut for his country against the All Blacks at Twickenham. 'It has' he says 'been surreal. A real whirlwind. I've worked hard, and I've had some luck. The injuries to Harry (Ellis) and Pete (Richards) have given me a chance to play, and I've had three good games in the warm ups.'

Knuckling down

The injuries to others may have opened the door, but it has been his drive that has helped him to seize his chance. He came to the world of lean chicken breast and high performance drinks at the ripe old age of 27. It has been hard saying goodbye to the pints and pies, and he has had to bust a gut - quite literally- to become England's number one no.9. "Brian Ashton was quite clear with me after the summer tour to South Africa. He said I had to shift some weight, and that I wasn't doing myself justice. It was made quite clear that if I wanted to challenge for a World Cup spot, that I would have to knuckle down."

He came down 6kg in weight and in contrast his performance levels went up. "It's been noticeable actually, you recover quicker, I had more to give towards the end of games, and I've taken my chances." The scribes have been impressed.

"It's been nice to read the comments from the likes of Carling, Guscott and Barnes. I'm pretty thick skinned, and the comments and criticisms I take to heart come from Hilly, but it has been reassuring to receive some praise."

There is no question that England enter the tournament as underdogs. 33-1 is longest odds for a defending champion in the history of the World Cup. But a huge amount of hard work has been done, and those inside the camp feel that at some point it will click. They've been written off by the rest of the world, but with the help of the former welder from Dudley, England will certainly have a steely determination.

Read Alex Payne's full interview with Bobby Skinstad in the latest issue of Rugby Player Magazine.