Debutant Delon Armitage aims to walk tall

Delon Armitage hopes to prove against the Pacific Islanders on Saturday he can fill the void left by Jason Robinson in the England team.

Since World Cup-winner Robinson retired last year, fullback has been a problem position in the side.

With injury ruling out rivals for the No15 shirt, Mathew Tait and Nick Abendanon, and Josh Lewsey being sent back to London Wasps, Armitage can use his debut to state his case in Martin Johnson's first match as team manager.

And the London Irish player can also prove the doubters wrong, having been written off as a teenager while living in France.

"I was picked for their Under16 team but then selectors told me I was too small and skinny and wouldn't progress any further," said Armitage, who now stands 6ft 1in.

"This is my chance to make the No15 jersey my own but there is still a lot I have to do and, with great players vying for the role, it will be tough."

Armitage was banned for a week last year after striking a Bristol opponent but he has now learned to control his temper, which once threatened his England ambitions.

Ahead of the Twickenham Test, the 24-year-old said: "I have been working hard on all aspects of my game and my self control was one of the reasons I wasn't getting into squads.

"I've worked hard and it is paying off. I didn't go to see anyone, I just took a long hard look in the mirror and thought: 'Do I want to stay at this level or give myself the opportunity to play at the very top?' That was an easy choice to take."