The 22-year-old was called up despite making only 10 starts for Bath and appearing from the replacements bench 49 times.

With England desperate for their first RBS 6 Nations win this year, Stevens has been given the chance to impress against the favourites for this year's title.

''It can be frustrating but I've had a lot more game time this season and I'm ready for it,'' he said.

''I've been on tour with these boys and I've been in the England set-up for two years so I know the calls and the way they play.''

Stevens will be winning his third cap after twice coming off the bench against the All Blacks on last summer's tour to New Zealand.

He is the third tighthead prop to play for England in successive RBS 6 Nations matches this year following injuries for Leicester's Julian White and Gloucester's Phil Vickery.

And England are desperate to win following narrow defeats to Wales and France.

''There is a lot of pressure on everyone but we are going into this game with every confidence. It isn't a bad thing to be the underdogs but the boys are very well prepared for the game,'' said Stevens.

Stevens got the nod ahead of 30-year-old team-mate Duncan Bell, who was drafted into the injury-hit England squad by head coach Andy Robinson this week, even though Bell has been Bath's preferred option in the Premiership for most of the past two seasons.

''I understand why it has happened and Bath have had the luxury of being in the position where they have some very good props but I want to play from the start,'' he added.

''It's great having Duncan here. He's been a great help to me and fully deserves his call-up.''