Danny Care's challenge to become the first-choice England scrum-half got off to the best possible start as he played a key role in Harlequins' 24-21 victory over Saracens.
The 21-year-old broke into the England squad last season and played in both summer internationals against New Zealand, starting the second Test in Christchurch.
Competition for the red rose scrum-half jersey is strong, particularly with Leicester's Harry Ellis back on the international scene after a long recovery from knee surgery.
But Care is relishing the challenge and he provided the scoring passes for both Quins tries in a typically sparky performance at Twickenham.
''This is a really important season for me,'' he said.
''People talk about the second season - you have got to perform again and there is an expectancy to perform.
''That is something I am looking forward to and I just want to play as much as I can for Quins and for England.''
Care attacked the Saracens blind-side from a close-range scrum and took great pleasure in sending David Strettle in for the opening try after just 53 seconds.
In the second half, with Saracens threatening a comeback after a brilliant 60-metre solo try from Adam Powell, Care received a long lineout throw in midfield and flicked an inside pass for Ugo Monye to score under the posts.
Saracens kept the pressure on with a try from scrum-half Neil de Kock but Quins, helped by 11 points from the boot of former New Zealand fly-half Nick Evans, held out for an important opening day win.
''I like it when we are playing attacking rugby and I think that is something we have at Quins in abundance,'' Care said.
Monye's all-round performance was hailed as ''outstanding'' by Quins boss Dean Richards, even if captain Will Skinner was none too impressed by the winger's Usain Bolt-style try celebration.
Monye still had two defenders to beat when he saluted the crowd before using his scintillating pace to accelerate under the posts.
Care added: ''He likes to celebrate his tries and he will definitely do a few more of them this season.''
New Saracens boss Eddie Jones was frustrated at ''gifting Harlequins 12 points'' but he was encouraged by the second-half response.
''We showed a lot of character and a lot of poise to get back into the game and that was a good sign,'' he said.
In the first game of Twickenham's double header, London Irish downed defending Guinness Premiership champions Wasps 26-14.
The Exiles surged into an unassailable lead with tries from Chris Hala'ufia and Richard Thorpe plus 16 points from full-back Peter Hewat, who did not miss a shot at goal.
London Irish were more tigerish, more inventive and deserved to take all the spoils as they denied Wasps a losing bonus point.
''That was as encouraging a display as we could have asked for at this stage of the season,'' said Toby Booth, now in sole charge after Brian Smith was appointed England's new attack coach.
Wasps ran in late tries from Tom Rees and Eoin Reddan but director of rugby Ian McGeechan admitted: ''It was a sub-standard performance.''