Bulldog Jonny had the better of me at school

The only sporting contact we had at school was playing Bulldog on the lawn and although I was good at athletics, he still managed to tackle me every time. I am four years younger than Jonny, 30, and we have been on very different journeys since our time at school yet have ended up in the same place.

I didn't start playing rugby until I was 13 and, besides Jonny, we also had England scrum-half Peter Richards at our school which gave the first XV a pretty formidable half-back combination. We also had Steve Bates - now director of rugby at Newcastle - coaching and also a chemistry master.

It's no wonder Jonny has achieved so much in rugby when I think back to all of those extra training routines he did with his dad while the rest of the school were having our dinner. It's great to see that the passion, drive and mentality that was so obvious all those years ago is still with him.

I always knew he would return from all of those injuries and it's great that he's back now I'm in the England team. Having Jonny around lifts everyone.

He belongs at this level and there is real confidence as we start these three tough November Tests at Twickenham. It's the best feeling I have ever known and despite the injuries we are in great shape.

I do feel different a year on from my debut against the Pacific Islands and I go into this series as a Lions player, knowing I am good enough to compete with the best.

I am playing full-back - not on the wing - and I know the Aussies will be sending up some early bombs for me to catch. I am happy with that challenge and it's up to me to get off the floor and collect the ball and help launch our very dangerous back three.

In the build-up to this match I got the chance to see Twickenham from a unique perspective, spending time in one of the six pitch view suites that have been built at the Marriott Hotel in the South Stand. Each suite is named after an England Grand Slam captain and finding that room 608 is named in honour of Ronald Poulton-Palmer, a former centre at my own club Harlequins, made it even more special.

There is a history of his life on the wall in the suite and I discovered that he was killed by a German sniper in 1915 at the age of just 25 (a year younger than me) and it did bring home to me the huge honour of now being an England international.

Poulton-Palmer went to war for his country and gave his life. When you can share history with men like this, you understand you are part of something special.

* Information about the hotel can be found at www.londonmarriotttwickenham.co.uk or call 020 891 8200. There is still availability for the Investec Challenge Series this autumn.