FIERCE competition in the Gloucester squad has helped bring the best out of Charlie Sharples.
The Cherry and Whites speedster is set to win his third England cap against Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday in the first of the four autumn internationals.
With Kingsholm chief Nigel Davies increasing the fight for places by pushing the A League games, Sharples said it has kept everyone sharp.
"There's competition everywhere in the England squad and that's what you need," said the 23-year-old.
"That's one thing we've had this season at Gloucester, we've had lots of competition in the squad for places. That has brought the best out of everyone and you need that in an environment to keep everyone on their toes and keep everyone playing well."
Sharples had been the lone Gloucester representative in the past year before England colleague Ben Morgan returned to his home-town club in the summer.
But the former St Peter's High School student said it was nice to have some more familiar faces with in-form Freddie Burns and Billy Twelvetrees joining him in the camp this week before being released.
"It was great to see them here and hopefully they will be able to kick on with their England careers and we will see them in a shirt in the not too distant future," he added.
"With Gloucester playing so well it is nice to see Freddie and Billy getting the call-up and there are other guys who are probably not too far from the mix either, so it is a good place to be at the minute."
