WORCESTER Warriors captain Pat Sanderson will finally face Australia tomorrow, more than seven years after illness rescued him from the most humiliating experience in English Test history.

While England were being battered 76-0 at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium by an Australian side which would win the World Cup less than 18 months later, Sanderson was back in a largely deserted team hotel trying to shake off tonsillitis.

He should have made his international debut that night, just a few days before turning 21, on what has become known as England's 'tour from hell'.

The call from head coach Clive Woodward eventually came a fortnight later against New Zealand in Dunedin, but apart from the 2001 North America trip when he made three appearances as a replacement, Sanderson has remained on the periphery.

This weekend's Cook Cup clash will represent a first Test start at Twickenham and is also a glowing reward for the patience, perseverance and punishing commitment Sanderson has shown amid some crushing career disappointments.

But form and fitness did not leave the ex-Harlequin though and Wor-cester's continuing Premiership excellence, with Sanderson as leader, eventually brought England squad and now first XV recognition.

Sanderson has experienced en-ough career highs and lows not to look beyond tomorrow, but few people could argue that he does not deserve the England number six shirt on merit.

"I don't think you ever write off your England career," he said. "It was just a question of focusing on what was important, which were my performances at the weekend.

"The formula to getting in the England side, difficult as that is, is quite a simple one -- playing well for your club. That is the reason you get looked at, so I had to get my head down, play well for my club and something would hopefully come of it, and it did. It's great to finally get a start at home, and I certainly feel ready for it.

"You have always got to look to improve," added Sanderson.

"I have still got improvements to make to my game from the level I am at now.

"The minute you think you haven't got to improve is when someone comes up behind you and takes your spot."