And now 23-year-old Newcastle Falcons winger Botham will be looking to emulate Robinson when he takes his place in the powerful England A side which faces Italy A at Bedford’s Goldington Road Ground tomorrow night.

It will be Botham’s fifth appearance for England’s second string, but he has loftier ambitions than to remain a permanent fixture in the development squad.

‘‘I want to play Test rugby I wouldn’t be a professional player if I didn’t want to play Test rugby,’’ he said.

‘‘That’s most rugby players’ goal and I’m no different from any other professional who wants to turn out for their country.

‘‘That’s my main objective, the goal I really want to achieve. But you’ve got to perform well for England A to get there and tomorrow’s game against Italy is a chance for me to prove myself.’’

Botham will be part of a youthful and talented three-quarter line that, if given the right ball, could prove very dangerous in attack a prospect the former Hampshire cricketer is relishing.

‘‘We’ll have a very young and exciting backline out against Italy,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s a similar situation to how it is at Newcastle we have a very young set of backs there, too.

‘‘It’s great to play with that sort of age group where everybody is trying to do well for each other and I’m really looking forward to playing alongside them tomorrow.’’

England A, coached by Leicester Tigers’ John Wells, will be looking to go one better than their draw with Wales when they meet Italy.

But Botham has warned his team-mates not be complacent of the threat posed by the Six Nations newcomers, citing last year’s corresponding encounter in L’Aquila when Italy suffered a narrow 33-27 defeat.

‘‘We played Italy A last year and they gave us a run for our money they played some attacking rugby and they were a very dangerous outfit,’’ he said.

‘‘You can’t afford to underestimate them. They’ll be very tough and very good. All national sides, whatever the level, are very good these days.’’

Harlequins flanker Steve White-Cooper has been ruled out of the match with a knee injury and will be replaced by Northampton’s Grant Seely. Gloucester lock Rob Fidler has been drafted on to the bench.

England A: P Sampson (Wasps); L Botham (Newcastle), L Lloyd (Leicester), J Lewsey (Wasps), N Ezulike (London Irish); A Goode (Leicester), M Wood (Wasps); D Flatman (Saracens), A Long (Bath), J White (Saracens), S Borthwick (Bath, capt), B Kay (Leicester), G Seely (Northampton), L Moody (Leicester), W Johnson (Leicester).

Replacements: T May (Newcastle), D Walder (Newcastle), A Gomarsall (Gloucester), R Hardwick (London Irish), R Kirke (London Irish), R Fidler (Gloucester, P Volley (Wasps).

Kick off: 7.30pm.