Gloucester fly-half Freddie Burns is determined to secure that No.10 shirt for England’s autumn internationals but he will have a tough test in leapfrogging Saracen’s Owen Farrell.

Whilst all eyes were on the British & Irish Lions’ heroics in Australia, England enjoyed a fine summer tour of Argentina, with Burns pulling the strings at fly-half in a clean sweep of wins against the Pumas.

Punters who bet on rugby reckon the 23-year-old’s efforts in South America should put him above Leicester Tigers’ Toby Flood in the pecking order for that starting role with the national side.

Burns is not willing to be complacent and he knows he will have to hit the ground running at the start of Gloucester’s Aviva Premiership campaign.

He said: "Of course I want to be involved in those autumn internationals, but I know that comes off the back of playing well for Gloucester, so that's my main aim and my main focus.

"Hopefully I can get a good start. I definitely want to keep pushing but I'm not looking at anything other than getting a good start, doing a good pre-season, and if that's right then hopefully I'll be knocking on the door for England."

The only person really standing in Burns’ way is Farrell, who enjoyed a strong tour with the Lions Down Under.

With Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton deservedly first choice for the Lions, Farrell was a seamless substitute when he came on in the Test matches against the Wallabies.

The Sarries star’s temperament has been called into question in the past by punters in rugby betting markets but he showed signs of maturity in the pressure cooker of a Lions series and his game was able to shine.

Whether it’s Burns or Farrell who starts against the likes of Australia, Argentina or New Zealand this autumn, Lancaster is really spoilt with the talent he has at his disposal in that all-important No.10 role.