Sale Sharks' David Seymour plays down England hype

Seymour has captained Sale in their opening eight games, scoring three tries

Sale openside flanker David Seymour has played down the hype linking him with a call-up to the England squad.

Seymour has been tipped to replace recently retired Lewis Moody, and has been in superb form this season.

"I think if you ask any rugby player they always want to play for their national team and I'm not different," he told BBC Radio Manchester.

"We're just working hard here and looking after what we're going to do at Sale and going upwards."

The 27-year-old, who has been capped at England Saxons level, missed most of last season due to a shoulder injury but has started every game this term.

He took over the captaincy from Sam Tuitupou at the start of the season as the New Zealander was sorting out visa issues.

Although director of sport Steve Diamond said Seymour would keep the arm band, reports have emerged this week that suggest Tuitupou will return to full-time captain to allow Seymour to focus on his form.

With all of the Sharks World Cup players returning to the squad this week, Seymour is looking forward to the quality they will add to a side that is currently lying in third in the Premiership.

"Hopefully they can add to our game and everyone's game", he added.

"A lot of new players came in this season and everyone's work extremely hard in the first six games in the league.

"We're trying to make sure those guys can't come straight back into the team.

"It's all about rewarding the players that have been working hard and we want to challenge for places, no matter who the players are that up for those places."