Why Christian Wade Is the Player England Should Consider Drafting into Squad

England coach Stuart Lancaster is in a race against time to sketch the blueprint of his starting XV for this year's World Cup, with the wings currently an area as uncertain as any other.

In order to give himself the best selection possible, Lancaster should be looking to hand Wasps star Christian Wade his chance in the remaining Six Nations fixtures.

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After the first two weeks of the competition, Anthony Watson has been the most encouraging member of the back three to watch by some distance, but it isn't necessarily on the wing that he'll sparkle in future.

Wade would be challenging the likes of Watson, Jonny May and Jack Nowell for a place out wide; the latter two have far from cemented their places in Lancaster's lineup. Ex-England star Will Greenwood felt the speedster was unfortunate only to get a call-up to the Saxons this year:

Should one of Watson, Nowell or May pick up an injury, Wade's number would undoubtedly be in contention as one of the first to be dialled by Lancaster, but he's deserving of an opportunity already.

Showing fine professionalism, the 23-year-old has simply gotten on with his work at Wasps and currently sits joint-second in the try-scoring charts with seven to his name this season.

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What's more, Mike Brown's recent concussion against Italy could see Watson make the switch to 15, which would create a gap to cover on the wing.

Wade is confident in his ability, too. He was quoted by Chris Foy of the Daily Mail as saying he's ready to be called up to the first-team squad after scoring in a win over the Irish Wolfhounds:

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All the injuries make you see how close you are to getting a call-up. We have to be prepared at all times because you never know what is going to happen. Even when there aren’t injuries, sometimes boys get called in. When there are injuries, you have to be ready to go. You have to be prepared.

We are one big squad – we’re doing a job down here while the other boys are preparing for the Six Nations. If there are injuries then you can get a call-up and if there aren’t, it’s still an opportunity to play for England. We work together as one group and there is communication so we are always up to date, so if any of us are called we are ready straight away.

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Having already earned time on tour with the British and Irish Lions in 2013, Wade is no stranger to being among esteemed figures and it's somewhat surprising Lancaster hasn't shown more belief in the Wasps whiz.

Admittedly, his defensive game is far from being noted as a strength, but the experience of evolving among elite peers would be of vast help.

Some would argue that based on club form alone, Wade could start in front of either May or Nowell should Watson make the move to full-back and it would be a justified choice.

Rugby writer Alex Shaw and Paul Morgan of the Aviva Premiership each stood in awe of the maestro's ability during the recent display against Ireland A:

Watson's pace has been electric in this year's Six Nations and May is no slouch off the mark, either, but Wade presents a different option, a different approach to those two.

As rugby commentator Martin Gillingham has noted, the player's form at the Ricoh speaks for itself and wing should be one of the positions at which Lancaster is trying out as many candidates as possible:

Given a bigger responsibility in the international setup, Wade could come to be of a world-class standard, but until the current hierarchy is broken up, those opportunities aren't likely to come.

Watson and Nowell each present versatile options and can each cover multiple positions; selecting Wade would be a decision to field a pure wide figure, one whose dynamism isn't rivalled by many others in the Premiership.

If Jonathan Joseph can maintain his form at centre and thrive as part of a partnership alongside Luther Burrell, England's wingers stand to profit tremendously, needing only the right personnel to bring finishing to the table.

In that pursuit, Wade sits as, without a doubt, one of Lancaster's most promising options, who has to be utilised in the new order.