A FUR-LY TOUGH DEBUT Paris bow will aid England star

ENGLAND full-back George Furbank has been told his Six Nations baptism of fire will be the making of him.

The Northampton star, 23, was thrown in at the deep end when handed his first cap in Paris against France on the championship’s opening weekend.

Owen Farrell’s shell-shocked team found themselves 24-0 down inside an hour and although they rescued a losing bonus point Furbank admitted the occasion got to him.

But he showed his true value last weekend when helping get England back on track with victory over Scotland and thanked team-mate Jonny May for some much-needed advice.

Furbank said: “Paris was different to anything I’d known. The nerves were well and truly going beforehand and in the game the crowd was so loud we could not hear each other. Wherever I made my debut it was going to be challenging.

“But Jonny said to me the week after, ‘Look, France away is one of the toughest challenges you could get first up. You will be a better player for it.’”

May’s words, together with Eddie Jones’ continued faith, paid dividends at Murrayfield where Furbank coped well in horrendous conditions.

“I felt more myself, more composed, more clear-headed, more vocal and sharp on the pitch. It allowed me to play my game,” said Furbank.

Only four years earlier he had been playing National Two level rugby for Cambridge.

The crowds he played in front of rarely reached four figures and the thought of

playing for England never crossed

Welsh bosses made a mistake allowing defence coach Edwards (right) to go. Williams said: “I was a bit disappointed when he his mind. This is the massive leap Furbank has made, one so big that when he goes to Twickenham for next Sunday’s clash with Ireland it will be his first game there.

Described by former England star Paul Grayson as having the “debonair looks of a spitfire pilot from a bygone age”, Furbank won’t relax now his Red Rose career is off the ground.

Nor is he overawed by the environment, giving Joe Marler the shock of his life before he had even introduced himself to him.

“Joe was having a wee in the toilet and I was the only other one in the changing room,” said Furbank.

“It’s a bit awkward to go and stand by him silently, so I thought I’d wait til he’s done and make him jump by yelling boo!”

Next in his sights are Ireland, a team likely to be primed for any ambush following their 50-point hammering at Twickenham last summer. went to France because he was one of the reasons Warren Gatland was so successful.

“There’s always that danger. When he did go we were devastated as we know that a French team that could play and is organised is a dangerous animal. “That’s what Shaun Edwards has brought.”

GARY FITZGERALD