Quins scrum-half Nick Duncombe is set to complete a remarkable turnaround in fortunes this weekend when he is tipped to become a full England international.

Duncombe, 20, broke his neck in April 2000 representing England U18's against their Welsh counterparts but on Saturday he will deputise for Kyran Bracken in England's opeing Six Nations Chmapionship clash with Scotland.

"I made a cover tackle, but then knew straightaway that something fairly serious had happened," he said.

"I felt a pins and needles sensation all over, and I was taken to hospital, initially in Chester and then on to an orthopaedic unit in Oswestry.

"I had broken my neck. Fortunately, it wasn't life-threatening, but it was certainly walk-threatening for a while. I had an operation, and was in hospital for about a month, but I recovered fairly well from it to be honest.

"I didn't actually damage my spinal cord, but I bruised it, and an operation was required," Duncombe added.

"The surgeons said everything had gone to plan, and I went back up there for a review after three months. As long as the medics gave me the all-clear, then I wanted to play again."

After a year out of the game recuperating and regaining full fitness, Duncombe returned, and it was no low-key comeback either.

England selected him for the World Cup under-19 tournament in Chile, where he returned against France, and then he gained a contract with Quins, initially as third-choice number nine behind Matt Powell and Scott Bemand.

"My main ambition this season was to play Premiership rugby, look to get involved with the England under-21s and then take things from there," he revealed.

"So you could say that all this has come as something of a surprise, but I am looking forward to this week.

"I have felt really at home in the Premiership, and if the chance arises with England next Saturday, I hope I can get on and enjoy it."

With Dawson currently injured and the England coaching staff wanting Austin Healey - their shadow scrum-half for the autumn Tests - to keep his wing role against Scotland, rather than switch positions if Bracken wad forced off, Woodward had no hesitation in calling up Duncombe.

"Nick is currently first-choice at Quins," Woodward said. "I watched him play against both Leicester and Northampton, and he has been selected on merit."