LOOSEHEAD prop Val Rapava Ruskin is on standby for England’s summer tour, according to Worcester Warriors director of rugby Gary Gold.

Ruskin was not chosen by England head coach Eddie Jones last week for the two-Test trip to Argentina.

But Gold says the uncapped Ruskin has been selected as a reserve.

He is keen for the powerhouse to feature in Warriors’ Aviva Premiership clash at Newcastle Falcons on Friday (8pm).

Ruskin (rib injury) missed Warriors' 36-26 defeat at Sale Sharks and their 25-19 home victory over Bath.

Gold, a former South African assistant coach, previously said Gloucester-bound Ruskin is on a par with Springbok front row legend Tendai Mtawarira.

“Val is in contention (for the trip to Falcons) and I hope we can get him out,” said Gold, who also believes Nick Schonert and Will Spencer can make the step up to international level with England.

“I think Val might be one of the guys on the shortlist for England so he needs some game-time.”

“I think there are one or two guys from our club who could have made a difference (to England.

“But I believe there’s a couple of guys on standby so funnier things have happened and they might get an opportunity.”

Ruskin, 24, played rugby in his junior years at Blackheath before moving to South Africa when he was 17 to play for Western Province.

He trained with French giants Toulon between June 2013 and February 2014 before signing a permanent deal with Warriors that summer.

Warriors duo Sam Lewis and Josh Adams are outside bets for Wales’ summer tour to the Pacific Islands.

The tour involves Test matches against Tonga and Samoa.

The Welsh squad is set to be announced on Monday.

The Welsh media claim England Under 20s forward Huw Taylor could be a possible shock inclusion in the squad.

However, Adams and Taylor are on the sidelines and look set to miss the remainder of the campaign.

Adams, 22, has bagged 13 tries in 23 appearances for Warriors but will missing for up to three weeks with a quad injury.

Bridgnorth-born Taylor, who is eligible to play for Wales through a grandparent, is out of action for between 10 and 12 weeks with a thumb problem.

Versatile forward Taylor has played eight times for Warriors this term in the Anglo-Welsh Cup and European Challenge Cup competitions.

However, the 20-year-old academy player is yet to make his debut in the Aviva Premiership.

Taylor has not featured for Worcester’s first team since January 21 but is understood to be on the radar of Wales' coaching team.