Six Nations 2012: Geoff Parling hopes line-out obsession will stand him in good stead for years to come But looking at my role specifically, I thought our line-out went pretty well. We lost one line-out ball. But after we lost it - it was a communication error, that's all, we'll learn from it - we stole two of theirs and put good pressure on them. I'm someone who probably dwells more on the negatives than the positives but I thought I got around the park OK and worked hard. That seems to be the general consensus. Given Stuart Lancaster's emphasis on loyalty, it would certainly be a surprise if Parling is dropped for next weekend's trip to Paris. The bearded 6ft 6in player is taking nothing for granted but he knows this is a big opportunity for him; to be part of the fresh, new-look England. And he knows what got him there. There is a twinkle in the eye when he talks about the ribbing he gets from his team mates for having labelled himself "a nerd"; for watching endless tapes of his opponents" line-outs; for calling "emergency line-out meetings" at Leicester, where he rallies his troops by text message. "I keep getting called a nerd now," he laughed. I think I need a new nickname. But no, I feel that's one of my strengths. I feel like if I wasn't doing that for the team that would be one of my talents wasted. Like a goal kicker who isn't kicking. I enjoy the responsibility. I enjoy being able to organise people. He clearly has ambitions to do so for a while to come. "Last Saturday was a proud day," he concluded. It was something I have waited a long time to do. But I don't want to be the guy who has just has a few caps, who started a game at Twickenhan. At the end of my career I want to be able to say I won a whole number of caps, and more importantly, some silverware as well. Which is why he will be sitting down to watch France take on Ireland this Sunday in their rearranged match. And then watching it again, and again.