ENGLAND newcomer Paul Grayson could not face a more daunting Five Nations debut when he lines up at outside-half against France at Parc des Princes next Saturday week.
The 24-year-old Chorley insurance man, who works and plays his rugby in Northampton, is delighted about following up last month's cap against Western Samoa with a date against the French.
Grayson was widely acclaimed for his solid all-round performance on that day.
But he is under no illusions about the extent of the defending champion's task in Paris, particularly after the mass exodus of established England players since last year's World Cup.
Rob Andrew, Brian Moore and Dean Richards have all departed the scene while Tony Underwood is absent through injury. A lot of responsibility now falls on the broad shoulders of Grayson.
"It's terrific to think I'll be taking part in the Five Nations," said Grayson, a former Accrington Stanley soccer player.
"It was a dream to be selected against Western Samoa but this really is the ultimate.
"Not very long ago, I had no serious expectations about playing for England in the short-term."
Grayson can at least expect to be a constant throughout the coming Five Nations campaign after manager Jack Rowell said: "This is our team for the Five Nations - I don't want to change it."
The Chorley man is up to the challenge. "It's obviously going to be extremely difficult to try to fill a person like Rob Andrew's boots," he said.
"And there's pressure on the whole team to perform and maintain the standards set by those individuals who have just left the England set-up.
"It will certainly be interesting at Parc des Princes."
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