Feltham rugby starlet Chris Bishay is hoping he can use this year's Six Nations to put three months of injury madness behind him to reclaim a spot in the London Wasps first XV, writes Mairianne Reardon.
The 20-year-old returned to action last month after undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury he picked up against Gloucester in September.
The former Sunbury Manor School student, who has featured for National One side Esher on loan this season, introduced himself to the Premiership with a match-winning brace for Wasps against Harlequins last March.
He had been given a debut chance in the absence of the club's internationals, but boss Ian McGeechan later warned he had work to do to make the starting line-up this season.
And the former England U18 international, who has admitted burning the candles at both ends during his enforced lay-off, is aiming to repeat the feat this time around.
"I guess I have been out doing a bit of partying," he said.
"It is the only way to take your mind off being so frustrated and depressed with the injury.
"I felt like I was going mad - all I have wanted to do is play rugby.
"I know I have got to prove myself and get back in the Wasps' first XV squad and, while the boys are away at the Six Nations, I have to take my chance."
Bishay hit the headlines last spring, when he became the first London Wasps player to score four tries in a Guinness A league match in February and followed it up with his heroics against Quins.
But he has had to watch fellow Wasps academy protégés Danny Cipriani and James Haskell picked for the England Six Nations campaign.
Now, back to fitness and available for selection, Bishay is relishing the challenge.
"I am feeling pretty sharp now and the doctors have told me my shoulder is actually stronger than it was before," he added.
"I want to be a Wasps first XV player even when the internationals are back and make it as hard as I can for them to get back in the team."
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