Paul poised for quick conversion

Henry Paul re-launches his rugby union career this week with the first step on a two-year journey towards arriving at the World Cup with England.

Gloucester's Kiwi capture from rugby league will make his bow at Kingsholm on Saturday in the centre position where the lack of adequate cover contributed to England's demise in Dublin last weekend.

Half a game may have been enough to convince Wales about picking Iestyn Harris with almost indecent haste, but England will give Paul rather longer to fully prove himself.

England manager Clive Woodward, the catalyst behind the player's switch of code, is ready to put him on the same fast track as Jason Robinson. If Paul makes the same rapid progress, albeit in a more demanding position, he can expect to be a fringe member of the Six Nations cast, at the very least, next year.

Gloucester rugby director Philippe Saint-Andre said last night: 'If Henry can make the same impact as Robinson it will be huge for the club. Then he will have a chance of making the England squad this season.'

Paul, last seen in union during his loan stint with Bath five years ago, will start as the goal-kicker for the Parker Pen European Shield home tie against Caerphilly. He said: 'England is a long way down the line. It's all a question of making sure I do my best for Gloucester. There are bound to be teething problems while I work on my position.'

The 27-year-old New Zealander hopes his first conversion will be swiftly followed by a second, the granting of British citizenship. He qualifies for England via a maternal grandfather from Liverpool.