The Leicester stalwart never gave up hope of a Test recall, but had begun to make peace with the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final becoming his last game for England.
Cole was pressed into 77 minutes' service when Kyle Sinckler was knocked out just moments after kickoff against South Africa four years ago.
The Springboks battered England 32-12 and a creaking Cole could not contain South Africa's two sets of peerless front-row forwards at the scrum.
Cole returned to Leicester to regroup and was then joined by England forwards coach Steve Borthwick at Welford Road.
Borthwick reinvigorated Leicester, handed Cole a new lease of life and drove the Tigers to the 2022 Gallagher Premiership title.
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