AS a member of England's East Lancs Four', Iain Balshaw can still barely believe he is the local boy who became a World Cup winner.

Four years ago, Blackburn-born Balshaw and Will Greenwood; Paul Grayson, from Chorley, and former Stonyhurst College student Kyran Bracken all helped England to World Cup glory in Australia.

While injury has robbed the 28-year-old the chance of a place in this year's squad, Balshaw recalls that World Cup win with the local connection.

"We used to talk about it all the time," said Balshaw who also studied at Stonyhurst College and attended St Mary's Hall. "Four lads from East Lancashire in Clive Woodward's squad of 30. It was quite hard to believe.

"East Lancs is a reknowned football hot-spot, but there were the four of us in England's Rugby World Cup winning squad."

Balshaw still has friends and family in the area - his mother Margaret used to be a switchboard operator on the Lancashire Evening Telegraph - but he gets little chance to visit his home town.

"Because I am playing rugby every weekend, I rarely get the chance to get back to Blackburn. But I still have family and mates in the area."

Balshaw, currently playing for Gloucester in the Guinness Premiership, admitted he was disappointed not to make Brian Ashton's World Cup squad.

"They told me I had picked up too many injuries and that was the reason why I didn't make the squad", added the talented back. "Obviously I was disappointed, but I am not dwelling on it. Since then I have just concentrated on my club rugby with Gloucester. At the moment, that is the most important thing."

However, Balshaw is determined to add to his 26 caps and 60 points for his country.

"Of course I want to play for England again, but it is no good saying that if I am not performing at the highest level for Gloucester."

And he said it is too close to call when England face hosts France in the Stade de France tomorrow night.

"England are just beginning to find a bit of form while France are under enormous pressure to perform in front of their own fans," added Balshaw who came on as an extra time replacement in that epic 20-17 World Cup final win over Australia. "It doesn't get much harder than having to beat the hosts, but that is what we had to do four years ago."