DURSLEY star Ben Morgan insists that whether England win or lose the RBS 6 Nations Championships over the next two months, it will not be the ‘be all and end all’ for the team ahead of the World Cup later this year.

And the big former Dursley RFC number eight is confident that back row rival Billy Vunipola and Harlequins Nick Easter can have outstanding tournaments in his absence, starting tomorrow when England travel across the Severn Bridge to play Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

Morgan is out for the season after breaking his leg when Gloucester played Saracens – ironically with former Thornbury RFC ace Vunipola on the other side of the scrum – in a titanic Aviva Premiership clash a month ago.

He would certainly have been the number one choice for the back row spot in England’s side for the 6 Nations Championships but will have to watch instead.

However, he expects a roaring start to the competition on tomorrow evening when the two old enemies go head-to-head in Cardiff.

Morgan said: “It will be a tough game and it’s an important one because it is vital to get off to a good start, particularly as both of us (England and Wales) are in the same World Cup group.

“We have just been pipped at the post (winning the 6 Nations) in the last couple of years and ideally you want to have a strong one but it is not the be all and end all with the World Cup ahead.”

Vunipola has been picked ahead of Easter to start against Wales, and Morgan is comfortable he can step up to the mark after a dip in fortunes last year. “Billy has come into some excellent form with Saracens leading up to the 6 Nations and I think he and Nick Easter will go really well.

“Nick is back in the squad after a couple of years out and playing some of the best rugby of his career. So , I am pretty confident with the England team as it is.”

England national coach Stuart Lancaster picked Morgan’s Gloucester colleague Jonny May in the starting XV to face Wales, which is an endorsement to recent performances.

Centre Billy Twelvetrees is on the bench, and Morgan believes Gloucester are setting high standards on the international stage.

“It’s brilliant to have Gloucester team-mates in the England squad. Jonny has been outstanding and, while Billy may not be in the starting XV, he is bound to make an impact when he comes on from the bench.”

For Morgan, watching the 6 Nations instead of playing is a pain, adding: “It’s always frustrating but it could have been worse. My injury may mean I will be fit before the World Cup so it gives me a shot at it.”

Estimates for Morgan’s recovery are six months but he added: “There is a potential I could be back sooner.”