Lee Mears has established himself as one of the foremost hookers in the Guinness Premiership. In tandem with prop Matt Stevens at Bath, Mears' pace and power in the loose has led to calls for him to be the automatic starting hooker for England.

Mears has secured a starting berth with Bath following several years as understudy to both Jonathan Humphreys and Mark Regan, and is now looking to complete the same achievement with England.

Mears began his career with Bath in 1998, whilst also making headway in the England youth system. He represented England at 16 and 18 age groups, as well as England U-19 Colts and U-21s before his call up to the Saxons squad for the 2004 Churchill Cup.

Mears did not play in the tournament, but was recalled for the following season's tournament and helped the Saxons to the title in 2005. A call up to the squad for England's 2005 Autumn Internationals was Mears' reward for several years of improvement in his game, and he made his international bow against Samoa at Twickenham.

Mears was selected for the 2007 World Cup on the back of another consistent season with Bath, in which they reached the final of the European Challenge Cup, but found himself behind Mark Regan in the pecking order.

Considering the explosive impact that Mears and Stevens had had on the Premiership the previous season, certain quarters believed that youth should be given the nod for England. Mears was given his chance following some poor performances by Regan during the 2008 Six Nations, taking the jersey for the final two fixtures.

Mears will now have to compete with George Chuter and Dylan Hartley for the England hooker's shirt but looks to have secured it for the near future following the 2008 Six Nations and tour to New Zealand.

Selected for the 2009 Lions tour of South Africa and made the XV for the first Test in Durban. He struggled with his lineouts as Victor Matfield picked his throws with ease and after the first Test defeat Mears did not play in the remaining Tests as the Lions conceded the series 2-1.

Scrum Staff July 2009