Although Youngs wasn’t in action for the Tigers, Care showed Lancaster just what he is all about as he tapped a quick penalty and ran half the length of the pitch to score a brilliant try as reigning champions Harlequins won 25-21.

And Quins director of rugby Conor O’Shea believes Care will get his chance to prove his worth in the Red Rose jersey sooner rather than later after helping his side maul the Tigers.

"The right reaction was to come back and perform for your club, that was world class out there, you're fortunate to be able to watch those types of moments," said O'Shea.

"From Stuart's [Lancaster] point of view he must be thinking 'I've got Ben Youngs and Danny Care, how lucky am I?'.

"From my point of view we love having him back. He got stuck in and got physical; looking at the team, we were physical, we were magnificent.

"I'm always going to back my own player, Danny's outstanding, from Stuart's point of view there are two Lions-standard scrum-halves competing.

"I think England are lucky to be in a position like that. You look underneath Danny Care and Ben Youngs, with Joe Simpson coming through, we're blessed.

"They are only 24 or 25 – that is the heartbeat of the side for a long time. Danny will get a chance hopefully soon with England, I'm sure."

Another man to have started on England’s bench in the RBS 6 Nations so far has been Leicester fly-half Toby Flood, who also enjoyed a successful return to club action as he scored 16 points in the loss.

England prop Mako Vunipola also enjoyed a return to action as he scored two tries and won the man of the match award as Saracens beat Exeter 31-11 in the first Premiership game played on Allianz Park’s artificial surface.

“Mako was magnificent. He wasn’t just good in the loose, where he’s as good as anyone, but he was good in the tight as well,” Sarries director of rugby Mark McCall said.

“He’s going to be a very special player. He’s already a special player.”