Dunedin - Thomas Waldrom arrived in Dunedin on Wednesday still not knowing what role, if any, he would play in England's Rugby World Cup bid.
The New Zealand born backrow has been summoned from club duty with Leicester as precautionary cover for Harlequins No 8 Nick Easter, who is suffering with a sore back and missed last week's 41-10 win over Georgia.
Waldrom, who played in the Tigers' 27-26 Premiership win over Newcastle on Saturday, had no idea he was about to fly out to the World Cup when he turned up at Leicester's Oval Park base on Monday.
But Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill called him into his office and told him to get on a plane for New Zealand.
"It wasn't what I expecting when I went into Cockers' office," said Waldrom after arriving at Dunedin Airport on Wednesday.
"I just thought we were going to talk about the game but he said 'go and sort out stuff at home and then you are on a plane to New Zealand'," he added.
Waldrom, yet to play a Test match, was a member of England's preliminary 45-man World Cup training squad but was hampered by a calf injury and dropped before the August warm-up internationals.
Born in Lower Hutt, near Wellington, Waldrom only discovered in March he qualified for England through his grandmother but now he could complete a remarkable few months by appearing at the World Cup if manager Martin Johnson brings him into the squad proper.
"It's just a case of being out here; it's up to Johno what he wants and how Nick's injury comes along," Waldrom said.
"I'll just have to sit and wait but it's one of those things you have to do. Cockers didn't have to let me go, but he knows what an opportunity it is if I do get into the squad so he let me go and big thanks to the Tigers."
England may have beaten Argentina and Georgia for a perfect played two, won two record heading into this weekend's Pool B clash against Romania, but both victories have seen them concede a welter of penalties.
However, Waldrom said: "England have had a solid start - everyone knows there have been a few mistakes but I can see what they are trying to do -- and I'm sure it'll build over the next few weeks."
The departure of the 28-year-old Waldrom leaves Leicester, who signed him from New Zealand side the Crusaders in 2009 on the basis he wouldn't be available for international duty, short of back-row forwards.
Jordan Crane and Craig Newby are both injured while Tom Croft is in the England squad.
Leicester now have 12 representatives at the World Cup, although Waldrom cannot link-up with England until he is officially brought into the squad.
England have still to decide on a replacement for prop Andrew Sheridan, who suffered a tournament-ending shoulder injury in the 13-9 win over Argentina.
Meanwhile Johnson's medical staff are still monitoring the fitness of wing Chris Ashton (elbow) and prop Matt Stevens (ankle).