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.

Woodward rates the uncapped 21-year-old so highly that he has wasted no time pitching him into a match-day 22 at Leonard's expense.

Stevens, a British passport holder who was born in South Africa, has already shown a Twickenham full house what he can do.

After being drafted into the England side for last December's non-cap World Cup celebration match against the New Zealand Barbarians when Phil Vickery withdrew injured, he scored a try and performed like a seasoned veteran.

"The New Zealand Barbarians game was an incredible experience. There was so much euphoria after the World Cup, but there was also a huge feeling in the squad to carry on and improve," he said.

"It was an amazing experience for me to come in and play with those guys who had just won the World Cup.

"The pace of the game was unbelievable, so there were a few kind of fitness issues that might have come into it, but I think I have been able to sort those out.

"The Six Nations is such a high level of rugby, and it is going to be a huge challenge for me."

Bath's coaching staff have nurtured Stevens carefully and sensibly during his first full Zurich Premiership season.

Most of his club rugby has been played off the bench as back-up to David Flatman and Duncan Bell, and it is a policy that continues to work well.

"I am getting more and more game-time with Bath," added Stevens. "They are trying to be conscientious with me, rather than just throw me straight in.

"Michael Foley is the best forwards coach I've ever had. He is unbelievably hard-working and a technically sound coach, and I couldn't say a bad word about his coaching," he said.

"He is very analytical and very concerned with the preparation for games. He is always thinking of how to improve situations, and is just a very prepared and thorough coach.

"David Flatman is probably the best loosehead scrummager in the Zurich Premiership, and Duncan Bell is up there with the best tighthead scrummaging forwards. They are very good guys to be involved with, and it is all proving a very good learning experience for me at Bath."

And as for replacing Leonard, Stevens added: "Everyone admires Jason. He's an incredible guy and extremely gracious.

"Everyone respects him he's an absolute rugby legend so I've just got to try and fill his boots."

Stevens will be joined among the England replacements by a player at the other end of rugby's international scale.

Flanker Neil Back, capped 66 times and 14 years older than Stevens, has been recalled after being axed for England's opening Six Nations victories over Italy and Scotland.

"It's fantastic to be back, although I don't feel that I have ever left," said Back, a star performer during England's World Cup campaign.

"When I was left out of the 22 for the Italy game, I was shocked, but I have spoken to Clive (Woodward) on several occasions.

"I am here in the 22 now, and all I am doing is concentrating on the Ireland game. I would guard against anyone looking too far ahead in the future it's for the here and now, and that is how I have lived my rugby life.

"On Saturday, we are playing against a world-class team that has world-class players," he added.