Former British & Irish Lion Austin Healey has long been an admirer of Shontayne Hape but has called on the rugby league convert to start showing consistency if he is to become an England mainstay.

The 29-year-old former Bulls star was given his first glimpse of the Red Rose set-up when he was named as part of England’s 32-strong squad for this year’s Six Nations.

Hape did not feature during those games but was given his chance during the two Tests in Australia over the summer and has since started all three of this month’s autumn internationals at Twickenham.

The Bath centre put in his best performance yet in the 26-13 victory over Samoa last week, being named man of the match, and former England back Healey has called for more of the same.

“I have always thought Shontayne was good enough to hold down a spot in the England ranks and I was campaigning for him two years ago,” said Healey.

“He has a certain presence about him when he is on the field and I think he commands a certain amount of respect. He has the ability to control the centre during a game.

“That strength and presence means he has the confidence to carry the ball and that is one of his best attributes because he has the strength to back it up.

“But it doesn’t just stop there because he not only can carry the ball but also distribute it well, so he has all the makings of a very good No 12.

“Unfortunately we have perhaps, until Samoa, only seen that promise in glimpses and it is now time for him to maintain that presence for a full 80 minutes.”

Hape’s chance over the past six months has largely been presented to him because of a series of injuries to fellow New Zealand-born centre Riki Flutey.

Healey, who made 51 appearances for England and two for the Lions, is all too aware of such a situation but believes Hape has done enough to justify now being the first-choice 12.

“He is perhaps getting more time because of Riki’s injuries but I think Shontayne has shown that he deserves to be there on merit,” said Healey.

“I think Riki needs to just concentrate on getting back to full fitness but that shouldn’t take anything away from Shontayne because the way he has been playing he would have that 12 slot nailed down anyway.”

* To get the inside scope on the England squad, as well as fun features, match analysis and up to the minute player interviews with presenters Austin Healey and Abi Griffiths, watch the latest episode of ‘O2 Inside Line’ on RFU TV at: www.o2insideline.com.