Daunting task as Stevens steps into legend Leonard’s boots

MATT STEVENS could hardly have asked for a tougher RBS 6 Nations baptism - filling the boots of an England legend at Twickenham.

There's no Jason Leonard facing Ireland tomorrow after Clive Woodward preferred Bath rookie Stevens to a player with 114 caps and 14 years of international experience.

While the England camp have spent all week playing down suggestions that Leonard's remarkable odyssey could be at an end, Stevens represents life after the veteran Harlequins loosehead.