As debuts go a Six Nations clash with Wales in Cardiff is up there with one of the toughest around.
But that is the task facing Northampton flanker Tom Wood who has been named in Martin Johnson's starting XV for Friday night's titanic tussle. Fans will be keeping a close eye on the live score goalwire and Wood will be under a lot of pressure.
The former Worcester star wasn't in the original squad but was promoted from the Saxons side and comes in for the injured Tom Croft.
Louis Deacon and James Haskell are also recalled to the pack in three changes made by Johnson from the side beaten 21-11 by South Africa on November 27, with Mike Tindall set to captain the side in place of the injured Lewis Moody.
But it is the selection of Wood though that is causing the most headlines as the media rush to compare him to Matthew Tait, who made his debut in Cardiff in 2005.
Tait was given a torrid time by the home side, with Gavin Henson in particular in storming form as the Welsh put themselves on course for a grand slam. Tait was promptly dropped and only resurfaced on the international scene more than a year later. Wood is under pressure before he has even laced his boots.
It is eight years and counting since England last achieved a Six Nations Grand Slam, with a World Cup final appearance in 2007 the only real high point in what has been a period of decline since that magic moment in Sydney in 2003 and anyone following the live rugby scores will know this.
However, the performance and result against Australia in the Autumn internationals gave reasons for optimism. A good start here - with three Twickenham matches in a row to follow – should put England in a great position to finally end their Six Nations drought.
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