England skipper Martin Johnson has accepted his his place on the bench for this Sunday's final Six Nations clash with Italy admitting that not even he can take anything for granted.
Only Will Carling has led England in more Tests than the world-renowned Leicester lock, but Johnson heads to Rome tomorrow as part of the most celebrated replacements' bench in English rugby history.
England will have Johnson and his fellow Test Lions Lawrence Dallaglio, Matt Dawson, Austin Healey and Jason Leonard all lying in wait, ready to complete a ruthless Italian demolition job at the Stadio Flaminio on Sunday.
Add hooker Dorian West and fly-half Charlie Hodgson to England's reserve riches, and the combined cap tally equals a staggering 316.
While Dallaglio prepares for his international comeback, though - exactly one year after it was put on hold following England's 48-19 victory over France at Twickenham - Johnson finds himself weighing up a totally different proposition.
All 66 of his caps have been won in an England starting XV, a sequence stretching back to 1993, yet manager Clive Woodward will break that run if, as expected, Johnson makes a substitute's appearance this weekend.
After missing the record Six Nations romp against Wales last month through suspension, Johnson has seen his Leicester team-mate Neil Back retain leadership duties and has failed to split England's second-row partnership of Danny Grewcock and Ben Kay.
"I was a bit surprised, but Danny and Ben are world-class second-rows," Johnson said.
"There have always been good second-rows around in England, meaning a lot of competition, so you must never take anything for granted, I guess.
"I thought I would be back in, to be honest, but there you go."
On his unexpected new tracksuited role, Johnson added: "You have to get behind the guys.
"You expect that of the guys who are not playing when you are in the starting XV, and you've got to do likewise when you are on the bench. There is a lot of experience on the bench, and we've got to be right behind the team.
"You can play for seven minutes, 70 minutes, or not play at all, so it is a slightly different mind-set I guess, but you've got to be ready to go."
Woodward, whose starting XV shows one change from Wales as a fit-again Jason Robinson predictably replaces Austin Healey at full-back, underlined that widespread team alterations were not considered.
"I thought the team played very well against Wales, especially Grewcock and Kay. In terms of players coming in, there was only one player I believed would significantly add to the team, and that was Jason Robinson," Woodward said.
"When I said don't read too much into it (Johnson's bench role), I actually meant that. Martin knows he is in a very competitive position, and Grewcock and Kay were outstanding against Wales.
"We didn't play well against France, we made a couple of changes, and the team performed well in patches against Wales, so it was important to keep that side together and move the whole thing forward.
"No player can take England selection for granted.
"I am Martin Johnson's biggest fan - that is why I supported him so vigorously about playing against France - but the team is picked on merit, and no selection is a foregone conclusion.
"I don't see Martin being on the bench as a big deal - there is no issue, as far as I am concerned.
"Martin is disappointed, because he wanted to play. He gave me his eyebrows look, and then he said fine and walked away. He understands the situation, he's on the bench and I am sure he will be involved on Sunday."
Back-row colossus Dallaglio, England captain before Johnson took the leadership reins in 1999, returns following less than two hours' rugby since his Lions tour of Australia ended through injury on a balmy Sydney evening last June.
Knee reconstruction surgery inevitably meant a lengthy recuperation process, but a trademark talismanic display for Wasps against Zurich Premiership leaders Leicester last weekend - in front of Woodward - proved sufficient.
"I am delighted to be back," said 47-times-capped Dallaglio.
"I've had the privilege of being with the England squad since I have been injured, so I don't feel as though I have been a million miles away."
England can still retain their Six Nations title, but those hopes hinge entirely on Ireland defeating unbeaten tournament favourites France in Paris 24 hours earlier.
If that happens, and England then record an anticipated runaway success against wooden spoonists-elect Italy, a third successive championship crown will be collected on points difference.
And primary strike-runner Robinson is sure to play a major role in the expected try-fest, with Woodward relishing his return as part of a potent back-three alongside wings Dan Luger and Ben Cohen.
Healey though, arguably the most gifted all-round player in England, will be kicking his heels.
"Austin's form has counted against him," Woodward added.
"I don't think that he has had a great Six Nations, and he had a poor game for Leicester on the weekend. He's had a long, long season, and he is going to need a break in the summer.
"I don't think he is anywhere near as good as he was this time 12 months ago, in terms of his physical condition."