THERE are few more intense rugby occasions than when the Army and Navy clash at Twickenham but England star Josh Lewsey has backed Barnsley's Simon Burns to handle the pressure this Saturday.
The Wasps full-back, who went to Sandhurst after leaving Bristol University, served for two years as an officer in the Royal Horse Artillery before resigning his commission in 2003 to help England land the World Cup in Australia.
Over 40,000 will pack into the Home of Rugby to watch Burns, 35, try and reverse a six-year losing streak for the Navy and Lewsey says he will not freeze under the spotlight.
Burns made his Navy debut more than 15 years ago in 1993 and since then has lifted the Babcock Trophy just three times.
The 35-year-old prop – the squad's longest serving player – said: "I have had a fair few battles with the Army in my time and have only come out on top three times. It is incredible feeling to win especially as we are normally the underdogs.
"This is probably one of the best Navy sides I have ever been in and we have to go into the game with great belief that we can turn them over.
"I get a few granddad jibes for being one of the oldest but props can go on for a while.
"And I will keep going as long as my body lets me but I definitely want to get one more victory over Army under my belt."
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