Six Nations: Charlie Sharples in for injured David Strettle on the wing

CHARLIE Sharples, the fastest man in the England squad, is confident he can hit the ground running after being given a late call-up for today’s RBS 6 Nations showdown with France.

The Gloucester wing will make his first Test start in place of David Strettle, who failed a fitness test on a chest injury he first suffered in England’s win against Italy.

Sharples has been on the fringes of the England team since last summer, when he made his debut off the bench in the World Cup warm-up win against Wales at Twickenham.

The 22-year-old only discovered yesterday morning he would be playing in what interim coach Stuart Lancaster has described as “one of the biggest challenges in international rugby”.

But Sharples is in form, having scored four tries in his last six games for Gloucester, and he believes he is ready for Le Crunch.

“It is terrible luck for Stretts but this is a great opportunity for me to play and one I’ve been waiting for throughout the Six Nations,” Sharples said.

“It is my first England start so it is massive for me. It is a huge opportunity and one I want to make the most of.

“I feel comfortable in this environment. I have been training for the last six weeks with the boys and I feel I can come and slot right in.

“We want to test ourselves and challenge ourselves on the biggest stage. That is why you put all the hard work in. That’s the whole reason why we play the game.

“It is a massive challenge for the squad but a massive opportunity for us to come to Paris and come to win.”

Injured against Italy, Saracens wing Strettle was fit to play against Wales two weekends ago, when he was controversially denied a late try, but the problem flared up in training this week.

Sharples was not initially included in England’s 24-man travelling squad.