Friday 23 June 2017 09:05, UK
Jamie George is keen to make the most of his first international starting berth at hooker when the British and Irish Lions take on New Zealand in the opening Test on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
Saracens forward George's 17 England caps have all been won off the replacements' bench as back-up to current England captain Dylan Hartley.
But against the All Blacks at Eden Park he will become the first player since former England star Jason Robinson 16 years ago to start for the Lions before his country.
"I definitely didn't see myself as an understudy," said George, when asked how he approached the Lions tour.
"I certainly wanted to learn as much as I could from Rory [Best] in particular, someone who is a player I've looked up to for a long time, and Ken [Owens] is in brilliant form at the minute.
"As soon as I made the plane, I thought to myself 'I've got every chance'. The situation then becomes in my hands, when I've put everything I can in training and develop and impress the coaches in a way that I want to, then I can be happy with it.
"I am happy with the way that's gone and happy with the way that I've played in the first few games, so it is nice to be given the opportunity to start."
If George proves to be a star of the Lions Test series, it could give England boss Eddie Jones food for thought before the reigning Six Nations champions resume business with their autumn Tests in November.
While George has impressed in New Zealand, Hartley and company claimed an impressive 2-0 Test series victory over Argentina despite being without many top players.
"I haven't thought too much about the England stuff since I've been here, but I would be hoping to put in a good enough performance to show that I am able to do stuff from the start," he added.
"But I think they've probably seen that playing for my club. Yes, it's a message, but the stuff that Dylan's doing is fantastic as well. They have just come off the back of a 2-0 series win in Argentina, so I am not really focusing too much on that.
"Dylan and I spoke before the tour. We haven't had too much (contact) while I've been here because he has been busy, and so have I. He is always very supportive, and vice versa."
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