Lawrence Dallaglio is sure Danny Cipriani will produce a repeat performance of his "spectacular" full England debut in Saturday's opening Investec Challenge Series clash with the Pacific Islands.
Cipriani ousted Jonny Wilkinson from the number 10 jersey to make his first England start against Ireland in the final round of the Six Nations Championship last March.
England produced their best rugby of the tournament as Cipriani orchestrated and kicked 18 points with a 100 per cent strike rate from seven kicks.
Since then, English rugby's new hope has had to recover from a career-threatening ankle injury while dealing with his new-found celebrity status, but Dallaglio, Cipriani's former Wasps team-mate, is convinced the way he has handled both challenges proves he was born for the big stage.
"I remember my own England debut as being fairly unspectacular, I remember Jonny Wilkinson's debut as being fairly unspectacular," said Dallaglio. "Danny Cipriani's was the most spectacular debut I have seen of any individual at any age.
"He was 19 and ran the game while in the spotlight with Jonny Wilkinson on the bench. He made a huge mark.
"All the headlines Danny gets about his celebrity girlfriend (Kelly Brook) are completely irrelevant.
"Danny has recovered from one of the most serious injuries you can get in rugby in four months. It is an amazing achievement and it shows how seriously he takes his rugby.
"He won't feel the pressure to repeat that debut because he feels very comfortable in an England shirt.
"And it is great because England need Danny Cipriani at this moment in time."
Johnson's England team take the field on Saturday with four debutants in Delon Armitage, Ugo Monye, Riki Flutey and Nick Kennedy - the same number of newcomers as featured in Clive Woodward's first Test in charge back in 1997.
Dallaglio believes the most immediate target for Johnson's youthful England side is to re-establish Twickenham as the fortress it once was, a ground feared by all-comers.
"England have become a bit of a soft touch at Twickenham and what Martin will want to establish right from the start that no matter who we are playing against, we make it a very hard place to come," said the former captain.
"Martin has never taken a backward step in his life. The team this week will know in no uncertain terms that they are the players with the responsibility to fire the first shot for this Martin Johnson team."
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