Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care is emerging as one of the key components in Martin Johnson's plans for England this season.

With Leicester No9 Harry Ellis still hampered by the effects of knee surgery, Care's health and good form is crucial for Johnson.

Given that Quins are top of the table going into tomorrow's Guinness Premiership clash at Gloucester, the spotlight is on 23-year-old Care, who is conscious of having to deal with the "second season syndrome".

He burst on to the scene last season and his form in the league wins over Saracens and Bristol this term have won him even more plaudits. Care knows he is now a marked man but relishes the challenge.

He said: "Teams watch videos in a bid to shut you down and it's a case of coming up with some new ideas. You get the big guys shouting your name, telling you they are going to smash you with a big tackle if you try to run around the fringes.

"In the Sarries game, Steve Borthwick seemed to spend the entire match shouting, 'I've got Care.' I didn't fancy my chances of running straight at him so it was a case of finding an alternative route. Teams are more aware of what I do and the challenge is to come up with something different.

"There is added pressure because I am an England international and there is all of this talk about my "second season" and having to perform, which I see as an incentive.

"But I do have one eye on England's autumn internationals because I want to be involved."

Champions London Wasps are looking for their first win of the season at Northampton, while London Irish entertain Bath tomorrow and Saracens are home to Newcastle on Sunday.

Organisers hope to see 50,000 fans at Twickenham tomorrow for the Help for Heroes match which features a host of big name players including Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio and Jonah Lomu. Meanwhile, Wasps pair James Haskell and Richard Birkett will appear before an RFU disciplinary hearing on Monday accused of foul play against Worcester.