Gloucester’s Luke Narraway was expecting to be playing for England Saxons against Ireland A at Welford Road on Friday but will instead be at the vanguard of Brian Ashton’s first post-World Cup squad.

With his phone buzzing after ‘50 text messages, some from people I don’t even know’ and a sporting nine stitches from last Saturday’s victory over London Wasps, a surprised but calm Narraway told rfu.com: “It was a total shock. I saw my name on the team sheet when it went up this morning and I had to pinch myself in the team meeting. I really wasn't expecting it. But I realise I have to do a job on Saturday."

Father Ian was a back row for Worcester and Narraway added: “My dad’s already been on the pone as you could imagine. He’s supported me playing since I was nine years old and he is probably more excited than me!”

A product of King’s School and Worcester Academy before arriving at Gloucester in 2002, he takes over from World Cup No 8 Nick Easter, who was not considered because of a knee injury.

Narraway has proved a driving force behind his club's rise to the Premiership summit and clinching of a Heineken Cup quarter-final place.

Although not in the original RBS 6 Nations squad he now has a golden opportunity to help launch a new England back-row era following the recent Test retirements of 2003 World Cup winners Lawrence Dallaglio and Martin Corry.

The 24-year-old, who is partnered in the back row by Lewis Moody and James Haskell, said: “I think we have a good balance in our back row. We all offer something different and I’ve got to play my part, as the other two, have to create a good unit.

"I'd describe myself as a looser. I try get around the field a bit. I like to carry the ball, try for my work rate to be up there and make the tackles and the carries."

Ashton said: “Luke knows we've got a couple of injuries in the back row - Nick Easter, Joe Worsley and Tom Croft aren't available - and he was next on the list in the England Saxons side.

"He's come up, he's made a good impression on us and we think it gives us the balance that we want in our back row playing at number eight.

"He's a very good footballer, he's a pretty good defender, he's a good line-out forward - he's a tough guy.

"Given the platform, hopefully, that we can have in front of him with our front five, then we'll be able to see his footballing ability at the weekend."

Narraway is among seven players selected for the Six Nations kick-off who did not start the World Cup final against South Africa in Paris on October 20.

The others are Balshaw, Tindall, his midfield partner Toby Flood, wing David Strettle, Bath lock Steve Borthwick and rising Wasps star Haskell.

And there is a place  for Tongan powerhouse Lesley Vainikolo to make an impact after being named on the replacements’ bench.

Mathew Tait is one notable absentee after his World Cup final heroics but Ashton insisted: "I have got a massive amount of faith in Mathew Tait's talent - I think he is a very talented player - and I haven't the slightest doubt, given his time, he is going to have a very long international career.

"Looking at the balance of our midfield, we need someone who can take the opposition on when the going gets tough.

"Mike Tindall is precisely that sort of player. He's been the form 13 in the Premiership this season.”

England: Iain Balshaw (Gloucester Rugby), Paul Sackey (London Wasps), Mike Tindall (Gloucester Rugby), Toby Flood (Newcastle Falcons), David Strettle (Harlequins), Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons), Andy Gomarsall (Harlequins); Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks), Mark Regan (Bristol Rugby), Phil Vickery (London Wasps), Simon Shaw (London Wasps), Steve Borthwick (Bath Rugby), James Haskell (London Wasps), Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers), Luke Narraway (Gloucester Rugby). Replacements: Lee Mears (Bath Rugby), Matt Stevens (Bath Rugby), Ben Kay (Leicester Tigers), Tom Rees (London Wasps), Richard Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks), Danny Cipriani (London Wasps), Lesley Vainikolo (Gloucester Rugby).