London Irish scrum-half Paul Hodgson is desperate for the chance to impress against the Barbarians on Saturday as he looks to force his way into the England line-up for the summer internationals against Argentina.

The former Sutton & Epsom star has been named on the bench for the weekend’s Twickenham showpiece, with Harlequins’ Danny Care getting the nod.

And Hodgson, who won his sole cap against Ireland in 2008, revealed he will be itching to get into the action as Martin Johnson’s men warm-up for their tests in Manchester and South America.

He said: “It is all about proving yourself when you get the opportunity.

“Danny is a fantastic player and he has had a very good season.

“But I just have to concentrate on my own form.

“In this game when you get a sniff of an opportunity you have to take it.

“To get the chance to play at Old Trafford and in Argentina is an absolute dream.

“These are the type of games you want to be involved in and I will be doing my utmost to force my way in.

”I’ve played a lot of rugby this year and I am really happy with my form.

“I have got some consistency and then I can throw in the X factor that I have and it is great that I have got that recognition.”

Hodgson was strutting his stuff at Twickenham earlier this month as part of the London Irish side that were pipped 10-9 by Leicester in the Guinness Premiership Final.

But he insists that disappointment will only strive him on.

The 27-year-old added: “Obviously the final did not go our way but that should not detract from a fantastic season we had.

“Now that target is for us to be in that position every year.

“To get to that position was a fantastic achievement and as a player you want to be in the big games against the best players, so it is a big incentive for us to go one better next year.”

Next on the horizon is the Barbarians, and the former Bristol number 9 is convinced the game will be a more attractive proposition than last year’s turgid encounter, won 17-14 by England.

Hodgson added: “There is a lot of tradition involved and I am sure it will be a great occasion.

“As long as the ref treats it as a normal game it will be entertaining.

“Their squad has a lot of big names and I reckon the fans are in for a treat.”