Giving 110%

However his sparkling form this season, which played a huge part in ensuring Falcons' Premiership survival has won him a place in the 37 man squad touring New Zealand and Australia extending his season further. However Noon is up for the challenge, telling BBC Sport that:

"I'm so excited to have been included in the squad, it's been a long hard season and I'm relieved to have made the grade."

Jamie is looking forward to the tour, and with World Cup squad places up for grabs he is keen to impress the England management team.

"I'm going to be playing against the Maoris and hopefully I can make an impact on the management."

This tour could be a turning point in Noon's career, and be his opportunity to establish himself as a key player in the England set-up, having been on the fringes since making his England test debut two years ago on the 2001 North America tour with what was effectively an England A side. This tour is the first time Noon has toured with the "Elite" squad and Noon says he is "under no illusions" about the task ahead of him as he has been talking to fellow Falcon Mark Mayerhofler (pictured).

"I intend to go open-minded about travelling to New Zealand, I play with former All Black Mark Mayerhofler and he's given me some tips."

"But he's also warned me that it's going to be the toughest test of my career. So I'm under no illusions about just how hard this is going to be."

Noon believes England are the "underdogs" but even so the atmosphere in the squad is "superb", the "fierce" competition for World Cup places providing the squad with additional motivation.

"With the World Cup so close, everyone is out to play for their shirt. And I'm no exception."

"I'm trying not to think of the World Cup, but of course I want to be involved. This is a fantastic opportunity for every player and I feel I'm playing quite well."

All Jamie Noon can do is continue to play his natural "hard running, hard tackling and working 110% for the rest of the team" game, regardless of the opposition.

"Playing in New Zealand is not a place to hide away and I intend to make my presence felt - no matter who the opponents are."

What more could England want from a centre?

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Noon high on England chance - BBC Sport

Four Falcons to Tour

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