The Gloucester scrum-half flew home from Sydney last November as a World Cup winner and British sporting hero.

But those heady achievements could not mask the disappointment of not featuring during a gripping final when England beat Australia after extra time.

Gomarsall was among the nine England players who missed out, but before the Telstra Stadium floodlights had even been switched off on that unforgettable autumn night Down Under, he promised himself that it would not happen again.

Subsequent events have certainly gone his way, with Kyran Bracken retiring from international rugby post-World Cup and Matt Dawsons demotion from the England elite squad.

The prodigiously-talented Leicester scrum-half Harry Ellis has emerged as his closest rival, but Gomarsall wants to prove beyond doubt that he should be England scrum-half on merit, not default.

In England-terms, it is a new era now, said Gomarsall, after playing a starring role as Gloucester preserved their 100% Premiership record by beating Jonny Wilkinsons Newcastle 31-17 at Kingsholm.

Everyone is fighting for a position in the England team. There are a lot of new faces in the squad, and its about making sure that your club form is good enough.

Obviously, I was frustrated that I wasnt on the field in a World Cup final, and I said then that my aim was the next World Cup.

There has always been competition in terms of England places, but I will just get on with my game.

Ellis, eight years Gomarsalls junior, provided further evidence of his prodigious talent by scoring one try and creating another in Leicesters comfortable victory over Northampton.

Robinson could be tempted to hand Ellis his Test debut against Canada on November 13.

It was obviously a shock to hear Matt Dawson had stepped down, so now I am just going to keep training hard, keep my head down and do as well as I can for Leicester, said Ellis.

My summer tour with England (to New Zealand and Australia) was a bit frustrating because I didnt play, but it was a really good experience to work with the team. I am looking forward to going down to training and being part of it next week.