But while his Northampton Saints teammate Chris Ashton stole the headlines with a two-try salvo, Wood was impressively combative in his introduction to international rugby and didn’t look out of place at all.

His displays left Martin Johnson purring in his post-match press conference and Wood anxious to make sure he is not a flash in the pan.

England take on Italy in their second round of RBS 6 Nations action next weekend and the Saints back row is desperate for a second chance in Red Rose shirt.

“That was definitely a step up from the Heineken Cup,” said Wood. “There has been some really physical games in the Heineken Cup but I think the pace of that game was another step.

“Once you make a mistake you are running back 30 or 40 metres before you know it.

“I think the error count is a little bit lower and there were a few differences. Martin (Johnson) just gave me a bit of a pat on the back in the changing rooms and said it was good to get through that first one.

“There was obviously a few mistakes out there but that’s going to happen when you’re under that much pressure.”