Englands appalling injury crisis has cleared the path for Bell to take his international bow against Ireland on Sunday in a Test debut that seemed unimaginable just a few months ago.

With Phil Vickery breaking his arm while on club duty for Gloucester on Saturday and Leicesters Julian White in the treatment room with a neck injury, the world champions have been robbed of their preferred tightheads.

Bell was called up to the England squad last night to bolster Andy Robinsons front row resources and could find himself in the starting line-up at Lansdowne Road - just three months after having his ambitions of playing for Wales dashed.

The 30-year-old had hoped to gain Welsh qualification on residency grounds but the International Rugby Board decided his appearance on Englands 1998 Tour from Hell - he was an unused substitute against the Wallabies - made him ineligible.

But now he is on the brink of winning his first cap - Robinson names his team to face Ireland on Wednesday - and the 19 stone forward intends to make the most of an unexpected opportunity.

I never thought that I would be in the wonderful position that I now find myself, said Bell.

I thought Id burned all my bridges with England when I expressed an interest in wanting to play for Wales, so its fantastic to get this opportunity.

Representing your country is the proudest moment of any rugby players career and this is a very proud moment for myself and my family.