David Strettle excited about Wembley games with Saracens (From Watford Observer)

David Strettle excited about Wembley games with Saracens

3:20pm Friday 3rd September 2010 in

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After missing out on a professional football career David Strettle probably thought his dream of playing at Wembley was over.

But the England wing, who completed a move to Saracens this summer, got a unique opportunity at the world famous stadium in April when his old club Harlequins were hammered by the Men in Black. And Strettle will get up to four more chances in the coming season with Leinster and Wasps already confirmed opponents at Wembley.

Manchester United fan Strettle admits it was an honour to run out at Wembley and is something he will remember fondly when his playing days are over.

He said: "I think there's a few boys in the game that could say they almost made it as a footballer. I wasn't the biggest guy at school so football was more my sport. I signed for clubs when I was younger but I think a lot of rugby players are failed footballers.

"I was at Crewe, Liverpool and Man City but it's like anything when you're a young lad at school with sporting ability, you can turn your hand to a few different sports. It's only when you get to the age of 16 you've got to start training more and there are not enough hours in the week.

"They did a good job on us [Saracens at Wembley]. It was brilliant," the wing continued.

"Rugby and sport is all about playing on big occasions like cup finals and I've been lucky enough to play at some great stadiums. Not many people, unless you are a footballer, get the chance to play at Wembley.

"A big thank you to the guys at Saracens for organising that because there will be a few players away from Saracens this year that get the luxury of doing that and it's just something when you do hang your boots up that you think you've been very privileged to do that."

The 27-year-old's final season at the Twickenham Stoop was a turbulent one with the club struggling to deal with the fallout from Bloodgate.

The departure of rugby director Dean Richards hit Harlequins hard and they were fighting at the wrong end of the table for much of the season.

Looking back, Strettle claims the controversy did not affect them at the time but accepts the team lost their direction.

The former Rotherham back said: "It's strange, it wasn't something that anyone noticed but now that you've come out of it and I think the boys are through it now, I think it was a case where you think it must have affected us a bit.

"The boys were obviously playing so well the year before and it was just a case with 'Deano' leaving, who is one of the best leaders in the game in my eyes, we just lost that direction. Rugby is a team game and we played a bit more like individuals last year. But Quins have got a brilliant team and I think they'll do very well this year.

"I've not got a bad word to say about Quins. I've got a lot of friends there and had a brilliant time there. It's the only professional club I really know because I was more semi-pro at Rotherham.

"It was very hard to leave but it was a case of speaking to guys like Andy Gomarsall who have moved clubs before and just getting advice off them because it's very easy to stay in your comfort zone.

"I was settled there and knew everyone there and the club knew me but when you get judged as a player you want to show what you can do at one club and then another club, not that I want to move from Saracens. I think I did well at Rotherham and people will give me more credit.

"There was a lot going on at Quins last year recovering from Bloodgate and I just felt Quins were moving on say two years ago but had hit a stumbling block. I just felt Saracens are at a point now where they're definitely moving forward. It was just a team I wanted to be part of."

Strettle scored a try against Ireland on his England debut three years ago but an injury-disrupted career has restricted him to six caps. The popular international admits he never expected to play for his country when he was studying at university during England's World Cup win seven years ago.

He said: "I remember watching the 2003 World Cup when I was at uni [Sheffield Hallam] and when they won it I went on the lash with the university boys. I was just enjoying myself at uni.

"If someone said to me in four years time you would be getting picked in the World Cup squad I'd say not a chance. Rugby is a sport where if you miss the first boat you can always get another one.

"It's frustrating because I feel like the times I missed out with England has been nothing I can do. Injuries are part and parcel but the annoying thing is my injuries have come when I've been at the top of my game. You just have to carry on. I've always said if you take care of club level, internationals will take care of themselves.

"You've just got to take it on the chin really. I've been very privileged to play for England. I know there are lots of people who should have got the chance but missed out because of injury but at least I've pulled on an England shirt. I've had a taste of it and will keep fighting for it.

"I'm not even thinking about the World Cup next year. My first job is to make an impression at Saracens and if I can do what I did at Quins then I will be very happy and hopefully there will be a World Cup at the end of it."

After coming so close to winning the title last year, Strettle believes his new-team mates will be disappointed if they miss out again this season.

"You could argue they were three or four minutes away from being champions last year," he said. "Sport is a very close run thing at times and I think it's a case if we don't win it this year there will be a lot of boys who will be very disappointed.

"Obviously I've only been here six weeks of training but is this a team that can win the Premiership?

"Without a doubt. It's something where the great thing about this squad is everyone is trusted. I've played at teams at loads of different levels where there are boys in the squad where they're good enough to be there but the coaches would rather put out an unfit player who is not 100 per cent.

"The great thing at Saracens is everyone is trusted and you know that if one of the boys isn't playing whoever steps in will do just as good a job."