Tigers prop Cole sat out last weekend’s 23-19 win over Wales, the first time he has not played a part in an England international since making his debut against Wales in 2010.
Cole returns to the starting line-up for this weekend’s World Cup warm-up at the Millennium Stadium, when he will win his 17th cap.
He is joined by Tigers teammates Louis Deacon and Toby Flood, as manager Martin Johnson makes 13 changes to his starting team.
And Cole says the competition for places means no-one is guaranteed of being on the plane to New Zealand.
“You are still fighting for your spot across the board,” says Cole. “There are seven props in the squad and there’s a lot of competition.
“No place is given in the squad for the World Cup and so you are still fighting and that makes us better as individuals and better as a team.
“It is a challenge and it’s what you look forward to. You don’t want it on a plate. You lose the edge if you think of yourself as established.”
