The New Zealand tour will be Hobbo's first with the full England side. He did earn a call up to the squad that played in Rome against Italy in the RBS Six Nations back in February and was named amongst the replacements that day but didn't take the field so his first cap remains elusive.

But he told the club website that the tour will be a great opportunity and that he is going to work hard to make the most of it.

"To be honest, I was kind of hoping to perhaps be named in the Saxons squad and the full squad hadn't really occured to me so this is beyond expectations."

"You set yourself long and short time goals and, like any professional rugby player, I want to play for my country but that was a long term goal so it may happen a little sooner than expected but I'm taking nothing for granted."

"I did get a taste of what it's like to be named in an international squad when I got the late call up to the squad for Italy but this means a bit more as I've been selected in the original squad rather than as a replacement for injury."

"I'm pretty well rested at the moment as I've not played in Bristol's last few games. I would have preferred to have played but Hilly (Richard Hill) had his reasons for not selecting me and I think giving me a break ahead of a possible tour was amongst them."

"But I've been keeping busy doing lots of fitness work and it's given me a chance to let a couple of niggles and bumps and bruises sorted."

"It's been an amazing season really. I'd not played that much for Bristol before this season because of the various injuries but it's all happened this year."

"I've worked hard with John Brain who has been a massive influence on me this season. My game has come on and leaps and bounds thanks to him and this tour is a brilliant end to the season."

"I'm not sure if I'll be involved in the Barbarians game yet but we fly out the next day and I can't wait."