But, in a revealing insight into the camaraderie within the England squad Dawson, who spent much of the last decade battling with Kyran Bracken for the scrum-half spot, admitted that he owes his comeback in part to his current rival.

“I’ve never been a person who would say I’e done it, I’ll always want to improve,” said Dawson.

“What’s obvious about Gomarsall is that he has fantastic service and I want to get mine up to that level. So I pick his brains about it. What practice does he do? What specific weights?

“Over the last three or four weeks I have learned from that department. And he’s been quizzing me about the experience I’ve got. Everyone now feeds off one another. We’re all picking each other’s brains and that’s the way to set the standards even higher.

“Kyran and myself were always very competitive. But pretty much every position is now and it’s difficult to put your finger on who’s going to be playing from week to another.

“I’m used to people always snapping at my heels or I’m happy to snap at theirs and that’s where, even if people don’t like all of my character, it comes into its own.

“I do tend to bounce back and fight for something if I want it.”

Calf and shoulder injuries have meant Dawson has struggled to play regularly for Northampton since returning from the World Cup but with 59 appearances he is the nation’s most-capped scrum-half.

At 31, however, the lack of rugby recently has only refuelled his international ambitions.

“I have a burning desire to play for England and I’ve been so pleased at the way I’ve buckled down after one or two niggly injuries after the World Cup,” he said.

“The injuries maybe just gave me that break that allowed me to refocus on what I wanted to do with my club and England. It probably refreshed me and hopefully I can come back and spend the next two years building back up.

“You do question whether you are going to get back but as soon as you get a taste for it, which I did by being on the bench, there’s only one place I wanted to be – and that’s playing in the team.

“I’ve learned a heck of a lot while I’ve been involved in the squad. It’s been a pretty awesome three or four weeks and to start the Irish game will be very exciting.”

Dawson insisted there would be no complacency against the Irish despite an England run of 22 unbeaten Tests at Twickenham which stretches back to October 9, 1999, when they were beaten 30-16 by New Zealand.

“The Irish will be coming to Twickenham with more confidence than they’ve ever done before,” said Dawson.

“Their first-half performance against Wales was by far the best rugby which was played over the weekend and something England are very wary about.

“The preparation has been upped since the first two weeks because we realise we are playing the form side. If we want to be successful we’ve got to raise our game.”

And all that talk about Fortress Twickenham?

“I don’t feel invincible when I walk out at Twickenham,” said Dawson.

“I feel very proud and honoured to be playing at the home of English rugby but stats don’t mean anything to me.

“I will not look back at my career and say I played in the England team who weren’t beaten at Twickenham for so many games.

“It’s just not why I play rugby. I play rugby to win.”

It has become the perennial rallying call for this England side.