Croft is another player plucked from relative obscurity - he has made just 15 starts for Leicester - to mix it with the big boys.

Blessed with fantastic pace and the handling skills of a centre, Croft has already earned the respect of his Tigers team-mate Martin Corry, a man who knows a thing or two about playing flanker for England.

"England have never really had his sort of player - he looks lean but he's very strong, very quick and very skilful," said Corry.