Duncombe's rapid rise is deserved

The extraordinary rise of Nick Duncombe may be about to take its most startling leap yet. The 20-year-old scrum-half won his first cap as replacement for injured Kyran Bracken during England's Calcutta Cup drubbing of Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, on the back of a senior career comprising just four appearances for Harlequins.

But now Bracken feels duty-bound to turn out for struggling Saracens against Leicester next Saturday. If Bracken's strained thigh takes further damage, then Duncombe is odds-on to start for England against Ireland on 16 February, completing an astonishing comeback less than two years after breaking his neck.

"Nick is the future, I've no doubt," confirmed Woodward. "He'll be a star. There was no question in my mind about putting him on at Murrayfield.

"It wasn't a shot in the dark. You get gut feelings about players. He's got real quality. He's fitted into this senior squad with ease. He's very mature, very physical, tackles well, his defensive work is fantastic and his service is excellent. He had a great game.

"His whole face lit up when I told him he was going on. He couldn't get his tracksuit off quickly enough and he was bouncing around the changing room. He is the best English scrum-half in the Premiership. If you're good enough, you're old enough. If it was a gamble, it paid off." But it wasn't only Woodward tossing laurels Duncombe's way. Those with no agenda showered the newcomer with praise.

"He's got a big future," agreed Scotland's scrum-half Bryan Redpath, who had scarcely heard of the youngster before his call-up. Lawrence Dallaglio commended Duncombe's composure, awareness and communication with his backs.