Leicester scrum-half Ben Youngs shocked by England call

'I'm quite a chilled-out bloke but I can't see me being too chilled out this weekend

Tigers scrum-half Ben Youngs

Leicester Tigers scrum-half Ben Youngs says his rapid rise into the England set-up has come as a total shock.

Youngs, 20, is among the replacements for Saturday's Calcutta Cup match against Scotland at Murrayfield - the first time he has been named in the 22.

"I was taken completely by surprise and was never expecting it," Youngs said.

"This year was about playing for my club and doing as well as I could. Then I got called into Saxons and from there to this is just a rollercoaster."

Youngs became Leicester's youngest league player when he made his debut as a 17-year-old in the closing stages of the away match against Bristol in April 2007 and he came off the bench in 2008 Guinness Premiership final win over Gloucester.

In 2009 he was nominated for the Premiership Young Player of the Year award and has represented the England Under-20s and Saxons.

Youngs said his progression into the full squad is wonderful.

"I'm loving every moment of it but at the same time I have to be really professional and focused and not let it get the better of me," Youngs said.

"It's really exciting times and it shows if you play well things can soon take off."

Youngs has had a taste of Murrayfield before, notably as part of the Tigers squad for last season's Heineken Cup final.

606: DEBATE

Youngs has been good for Leicester, but I don't think now is the right time to introduce him to England...He needs more time

xxxwookie

"I've experienced the atmosphere a couple of times but it will be new for me as it is a Test match. It should be a great game and I'm really looking forward to it," Youngs added.

But although he will have Tigers team-mates Lewis Moody and Toby Flood for company on the bench - as well as Louis Deacon in the starting line-up - he admits it is almost inevitable the prospect of his first taste of Six-Nations rugby will lead to a few anxious moments.

"I'm quite a chilled out bloke but I can't see me being too chilled-out this weekend," he admitted. "When I play for Leicester I'm normally quite relaxed but there could be a different side to me this weekend.

"I think I'll be very nervous but if get the chance to go out there I'll block out the crowd and it will be just playing another game - I hope!"