Danny Care reckons England will be desperate to prove a point when they kick off the Six Nations with a Twickenham clash against Wales this weekend.

Care was named in Martin Johnson’s starting line-up for the Saturday showdown, alongside fellow Quins Ugo Monye and Nick Easter.

And, having endured a frustrating Autumn campaign, and been on the receiving end in their last three clashes against the Dragons, the scrum-half insists England will be raring to go.

Care said: “There is no doubt we disappointed people in the Autumn series and we accept that.

“But this is the Six Nations and it always has that special feel to it.

“We just want to get out there, play well and prove some people wrong.

“We know it is going to be a difficult game and it does not get bigger than England versus Wales at Twickenham.

“In many ways Wales had a similar Autumn to us so they will probably be approaching the game in the same way.

“They are a fantastic team and a proud country and it is going to be a tough old game.”

Care won the battle with London Irish’s Paul Hodgson to claim the No.9 shirt for the big kick-off.

And despite racking up 14 caps the 23-year-old admits the buzz of anticipation has never dimmed.

Care added: “You never really know if you are going to be picked but you are desperate to get the starting slot so it is always a big deal.

“There is a great amount of competition amongst the squad so it still means an awful lot to me to be selected.

“The Six Nations is the tournament everyone wants to play in.

“I may have 14 caps but it is just as important to me now as it ever was.”

When Care runs out on Saturday he will be part of an England side for the 15th time in the past 17 tests.

And the livewire scrum-half is eager to pay tribute to the Stoop set-up for his success.

He added: “I think all three of us owe an awful lot to the club for getting us to this point.

“When Dean Richards brought me to Harlequins he told me that I would be England’s scrum-half sooner rather than later and it is great to prove him right.

“The club has given us the platform and I am grateful for that.”