Andy Hazell has been challenged to put down a World Cup marker when he makes his England return after a two-year absence on Saturday.
The Gloucester flanker will pull on England's number seven shirt against South Africa in Bloemfontein following a domestic season which saw him earn rave reviews.
Transferring that form onto the international stage is his next challenge as he makes a first England appearance since the 2005 RBS 6 Nations Championship victory over Scotland at Twickenham.
Hazell's seventh cap, and third start, comes with England facing what most pundits believe is little more than a damage-limitation exercise, given they are minus more than 30 players.
But 29-year-old Hazell could gain a lot from the Springboks experience as head coach Brian Ashton builds towards naming a World Cup training squad next month.
Ashton said: ``First of all, Andy has had a good, consistent season with Gloucester.
``I think physically he is a bigger player than when he last played for England, and I think he is a more experienced and knowledgeable player. He probably knows his way around the rugby field far better than he did when he played before.
``He will realise what an enormous one-on-one challenge it is going to be for him, although there may be some natural advantages on his side as an out-and-out seven.
``We are looking for out-and-out sevens. He can't play anywhere else, he can only play seven.
``England have mixed and matched and put all sorts of people in the seven jersey in the last three seasons, and Andy Hazell has got a chance to show that maybe he is one of the sevens that should be included in the World Cup squad.''
England, meanwhile, will hope fly-half Jonny Wilkinson can take part in training today after missing yesterday's session with a stomach upset.
Flanker Pat Sanderson and a couple of the England management have also been affected, although Sanderson was able to train within 24 hours.
Ashton's line-up has an inexperienced feel about it, containing three newcomers in Harlequins full-back Mike Brown, Gloucester prop Nick Wood and Sale lock Dean Schofield, while 35-year-olds Mark Regan and Stuart Turner feature in the front-row.
Ashton added: ``The very fact we are playing South Africa means it will be a physical contest. We've just got to accept that and confront it, and find a way around it as well.
``Training has been fairly competitive. Even when it was meant to be non-contact yesterday, it became a pretty physical effort.
``It's been competitive because virtually every position was up for grabs when we set out.
``There are individuals who I need to be really clear about by the time I fly back to England in terms of their ability to handle international rugby, and of players playing together and how they manage a game.
``I've got a pretty good idea in my mind of one or two players who will probably start next weekend, but there is also a certain amount of fluidity because I suspect we will probably pick up a couple of injuries this Saturday.''
South Africa coach Jake White is expected to name his starting line-up later today, with a strong influence anticipated from this season's Super 14 finalists the Bulls and Sharks.