I am going to go out there and play my natural game, firstly to try and enjoy it, and try and give the ball a bit of air Stuart Abbott

Coach Andy Robinson sees Abbott, 27, as the man to provide "that extra bit of creativity" at Twickenham.

But the Wasps centre is modest about the impact he expects to make, after being preferred to Mike Tindall.

"I am not sure about being the main man," he said. "Tinds is a great player, they are big shoes to fill and hopefully I can do the jersey justice."

Abbott broke his leg at the start of 2005, having just returned from a shoulder problem, and has not been involved for England for 18 months.

"I have been out for a long time, so this is a great chance to step up to the mark and put in a good performance," he said.

Abbott, who will be winning his eighth cap, is in the side to provide an attacking cutting edge sadly missing in the defeats against Scotland and France.

And he is determined to make the most of his opportunity.

"I am going to go out there and play my natural game, firstly to try and enjoy it, and try and give the ball a bit of air," he said.

O'Driscoll is one of the best centres in the world and D'Arcy's not far off so it is a huge job Stuart Abbott

"I am coming in at a bit of a funny time, but this is a chance I have got to grab."

Cape Town-born Abbott is under no illusions as to the size of the task facing England against Ireland and expects a rough ride against opposite numbers Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy.

"They are two world-class players with a lot of experience and it is going to be very tough against them," he said.

"O'Driscoll is one of the best centres in the world and D'Arcy's not far off so it is a huge job."

Another challenge for the instinctive ball-carrier could be to shore up England's kicking game, much criticised following the defeat by France.

"My natural game is to run it, but I will kick if needed," Abbott declared. "I am not scared to kick if I have to, but, first and foremost, I prefer to keep the ball in hand."