Bristol Bears' Harry Randall made his first Six Nations start for England on Sunday afternoon and says that the experience was 'awesome' after beating Italy 0-33 in Rome.
The scrum-half, 24, played for 55 minutes until being replaced by Ben Youngs who in the process became the joint all-time England appearance maker when he came on for Randall.
Tries from Marcus Smith, Jamie George (2), Elliot Daly and Kyle Sinckler were enough to sink the Italians and Randall was crucial to the effort with England slipping off the boil when he was replaced by Youngs.
Randall will hope to keep his place in the team after two years of scintillating form at Bristol and become England's long-term heir to Youngs, who could become the all-time record appearance maker against Wales on February 26.
"it was awesome - we had a good week's prep and dug in really well and got the result we wanted" Randall said, speaking to ITV after the match.
It was pleasing to keep them to zero but there a few little things that frustrated us at times out there but nonetheless it was a good performance.
"It's been a dream come true, a big Six Nations game - it's been really good and I've loved every minute.
"It was great with the team around me, I've got experience players around me helping me out, especially during the week so I can't thank them enough for settling me in well - you know we put on a decent performance.
Marcus Smith was man of the match in Rome after another stunning performance from the young star and said he enjoyed playing alongside Randall with whom he grew up with in the England youth teams.
"I love it, I've played with him when I was younger growing up in the age group stuff" Smith, 23, told ITV's Miles Harrison after the match.
"When I watch him play at Bristol it's exciting to watch and to be able to run out alongside him is special - we have a good connection off the field and I hope we have a good connection on it as well."
