Stevens: Just call me Phil

By Ben Blackmore  

Stevens: Just call me Phil

Matt Stevens is ready to ensure that England power their way past Wales on Saturday, but he does not mind if he becomes the object of mistaken identity.

Stevens will pack down alongside fellow giants Andrew Sheridan and Steve Thompson in the England front row, due to the enforced absence of Phil Vickery.

The Gloucester prop will undergo a third back injury to save his rugby career, and Stevens admits he enjoys being compared to the World Cup winner.

"I love to be compared to Phil. I have huge respect for him as a player and it is very sad he will not be involved in the Six Nations," said the Bath man.

"They are huge shoes to fill but I hope I can play like Phil. He is an extremely talented front-row forward and he has done a lot for the England game.

"It is extremely sad he can't be here and the guys miss his presence. All we can do for him is go out there, have a good game and wear the England shirt with pride."

Stevens is used to being part of a formidable pack from his time with club side Bath, but the company of Sheridan and Thompson steps things up another level.

A combined total of 56 stones await the Wales front three at Twickenham, and Stevens admits it is an awesome presence for the opposition to face.

However, the 23-year-old is experienced enough to acknowledge that the danger works both ways, and he was full of praise for his opposite number.

"Horsman is a good scrummager but it doesn't take anything away from them having the two Jones', I rate them both highly.

"They are very good ball players, great in the contact area and they make a lot of tackles around the field and are a handful in the set-piece.

"The Welsh scrum has come on in leaps and bounds and they will be a tough force to contend with. We are looking forward to it but Wales are a very good scrum."