Ugo Monye will make his England debut on Saturday little more than a year after he was left “paralysed” for five days by a bulging disc.

The Harlequins wing was in agony after hurting his back while jogging and was forced to sleep on the floor and had to be cared for by a friend as he was unable to do anything for himself.
Monye described the injury as the “worst moment of my career” but a six-week course of pilates got him back in action and avoided the need for
surgery.

Now as he prepares to play the Pacific Islanders at Twickenham, the 28-year-old spoke of his joy at bouncing back from his nightmare to win international recognition.

Monye said today: “Because the pain was so great and the fact I couldn't walk, I thought it was a slipped disc. It was a pretty dark time; I couldn't sit up or go to the toilet.

“I had to lie on my friend's floor and be fed for five days because I couldn't walk. It turned out to be a bulging disc and the wife of the club's physio did a fantastic job on my back using pilates and six weeks later I was able to start up again.

“Quins gave me the time to get things right. That was the worst moment of my career and why I am so delighted and thankful to get this chance to play for England.

“If you look at how I was then and what has happened this week with my selection then you can see that a year is a long time in rugby.“

A committed Christian, Monye says his beliefs helped him to cope.

“Although I did really struggle during that difficult time, I never thought my career was over even though it knocked my confidence,” he said.

“I believe my faith has helped my rugby by keeping everything in perspective.”

Like Monye, fly-half Danny Cipriani had to overcome serious injury to win a place in Martin Johnson's first team.

Cipriani was out for almost six months after dislocating his ankle and although he recovered just as a knee injury ruled fellow England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson ruled out of the November Tests, the London Wasps man did not think his place in the XV was guaranteed.

“I never took my selection for granted in rugby and I go onto the pitch and training field with a smile on my face,” he said.

“I try to be my best and that's been my attitude in recent weeks after coming back. Expectation doesn't weigh heavily on me. I set myself a target of getting back fit for this match and thanks to the help I received from all the medical team and coaches I have made it.”
Cipriani believes he is now quicker than before his lay-off.

“My ankle doesn't bother me except for the first few steps in the morning and it really feels good,” he said. “I believe I am back to where I was before the injury .

“It isn't just me in the back division and we have guys with pace to burn and we are going to try and use it on Saturday. We want the win and also to play well at the same time.”

Cipriani, who turned 21 two days ago, added that he had taken inspiration by Lewis Hamilton, who was crowned the youngest Formula One world champion at the age of 23 on Sunday.

“Lewis is very focused and single minded and he has a team around him,” he said. “The fact that he is so successful at a young age raises the bar and sets the target for everyone.”