Phil Vickery, inevitably, was unequivocal about his role in tonight’s crunch game with Tonga. “I would like to be on the field,” he said in that quiet, slightly wistful, West Country way of his, but the England captain must continue on the sidelines – until he is called for.

Matt Stevens, the younger man by nearly seven years, holds the place at tight-head prop vacated because of Vickery’s two-match suspension and is eager to retain it.

“Playing in the same position as the captain, you have a mountain to climb, but you have to prove you are better,” Stevens, 25 on Monday, said. “I was always told by the selectors that if I did that, I would be picked. Fair play to them, they have made good. “[Selection] is a massive compliment. Phil is someone who has proved his worth as a modern front-row forward and is someone I look up to greatly. Can I make the place my own? I have to think that way, but, at the back of your mind, you know there’s only the next game. All I can think about is Tonga.”

Stevens has form and match fitness in his favour; Vickery, suspended for a trip on Paul Emerick in the opening pool game against the United States, has worked hard in training and has the experience of 56 caps behind him against the sporadic tally of 17 held by the Bath man.

“I’ve been out and Matt’s played really well,” he said. “You have to deal with it. Everyone’s been really good and the coaches have given me 100 per cent support.”

It would be premature to think of a changing of the guard, but Stevens brings the ball-handling and rumbustious running that was characteristic of Vickery and his fellow 2003 World Cup-winning prop, Trevor Woodman, when they emerged from Gloucester. “I came into the tournament wanting to be the starting tight-head,” Stevens said – and now he is.