Leicester Tigers scrum-half Ben Youngs is still struggling to come to terms with an incredible season that has seen him go from third or fourth choice at club level to England recognition.

Youngs is hoping to help the Tigers see off Saracens at Twickenham on Saturday and claim a second successive Premiership title.

After that, international honours beckon when the 20-year-old takes his place in Martin Johnson's England squad for the summer tour to Australia and New Zealand, having made his debut off the bench in the their final Six Nations match against France in Paris.

But few would have predicted his remarkable progress at the start of the season, when Youngs hardly got a sniff of first-team action.

"At the beginning of the season I didn't get too much of a go," Youngs told BBC East Midlands Today.

"I was sitting on the bench and James Grindall was playing really well but eventually I got a go against South Africa and ever since then I have secured a place."

Youngs, son of former Leicester and England scrum-half Nick, certainly took his chance against the world champions, slotting five penalties and playing a key role in a hugely impressive Tigers win.

I'll be a bit shaky to start with...but once the whistle goes and the crowd gets roaring it will be like any other game Ben Youngs

And Leicester's youngest ever league player has not looked back, establishing himself as the Tigers' first-choice nine nine and winning the Rugby Players' Association young player of the year award.

"I've been loving my rugby," Youngs added. "I'm fortunate to play behind such a good pack with some fantastic backs out wide and I'm the middle man really. They make life very easy for me and I'm very grateful.

"I don't read the papers but there have been some nice things said about me. It's been a great season and obviously I wasn't expecting any international call-ups but my hard work has got me there.

"Hopefully, looking forward I'll put in some good training sessions and get rewarded with the chance to play [on England's tour]."

Before England and the daunting trip down under, Twickenham and Saracens awaits.

But it will not be his first taste of a Premiership final at England's headquarters. As a 17-year-old Youngs came on late on against Gloucester in Leicester's thumping 2007 victory.

"It was a tremendous day," Youngs recalled. "Harry Ellis got injured in the semi-final - that opened the door for me and Pat Howard let me have a runaround for the last 15 minutes when luckily the game was wrapped up so there was no pressure and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

"I'm looking forward to having another go at Twickenham - if selected. It's exciting times, it will be a big crowd and it seems like a second home for a lot for these Leicester lads."

A number of those Leicester players have experienced good and bad times in Premiership finals. Saturday's will be the club's sixth in a row, having won two and lost three of the previous five.

Youngs has already experienced failure and triumph in big finals and is desperate not to taste the former again.

"I've been on both sides of it but full focus is on this year. We want to back it up and be the champions again," he said.

"We have played in some big games but the [semi-final play-off] game against Bath was the biggest game I have played in at club level. I've had a little taste of what a semi was like and now hopefully a final.

"I'll be a bit shaky to start with and I'm sure there will be a lot of nerves floating about but once the whistle goes and the crowd gets roaring it will be like any other game."

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