In his journey from humble carpenter to the world's most capped forward, nothing seems to have fazed Jason Leonard.

At Twickenham on Saturday, Leonard will earn his 93rd international cap for England.

The match against Romania will take him past the previous record set by former New Zealand hooker Sean Fitzpatrick, a man with whom Leonard has shared a few bruising encounters during his 11-year international career.

"I don't think it will hit me on Saturday," said Leonard, who will also equal French full-back Serge Blanco on 93 international caps.

"That will come when I stop and sit back and think about it. At the moment, the honour is still playing for my country."

The century is only seven caps away, a milestone that only Australian winger David Campese (101 caps) and French centre Philippe Sella (111 caps) have reached.

But Leonard's chances to join the elite club are getting limited, especially considering Phil Vickery's and Graham Rowntree's performances in England's 21-15 victory over Australia last week.

But this is still England's most capped international we are talking about.

A man who has won two Grand Slams, lost three and played in three World Cups, including the 1991 final against Australia.

"The 100 has honestly never crossed my mind," said Leonard. "It seems to be more of a problem for other people than me.

"There's pressure on you every single game these days. You know there are players to come in if you don't perform.

"Graham Rowntree had a magnificent game against Australia and thoroughly deserved his man-of-the-match - a very rare feat for a front row.

"But it's how you deal with that sort of pressure that counts. I honestly never think beyond the next game."

His England debut came in 1990 in Buenos Aires against Argentina, a match he described as "the toughest, most vicious game I've ever played in".

He then went on to win 40 consecutive caps in a run that was only halted when he was rested for a World Cup game against Western Samoa in 1995.

However, Leonard's international career might well have ended before it began.