Mark Wilson proud to fly the flag for Newcastle Falcons as England's new No.8 against South Africa

Injuries to Billy Vunipola and Sam Simmonds have presented the 29-year-old with a chance to anchor Eddie Jones' pack

Overlooked, ignored, underrated. However you look at Newcastle Falcons’ international reputation, there has been just one player hailing from the Northeast who has played for England under Eddie Jones.

On Saturday, the unlikely figure of Mark Wilson fills the No.8 shirt. Normally a blindside flanker for the Falcons, Wilson does have experience of anchoring the pack for his club, and on Thursday he got the nod ahead of Zach Mercer to start against South Africa in the absence of injured duo Billy Vunipola and Sam Simmonds, as well as the suspended Nathan Hughes.

While it is far from his first cap – like Mercer and Ben Moon will receive if they are introduced from the bench – Wilson’s only previous start came on last year’s tour of Argentina, when England’s big hitters were away on Lions duty.

Three replacement appearances have followed since that first cap, but on Saturday, against the Springboks at Twickenham, it will mean that little bit more.

“It’s probably the most exciting, playing at Twickenham, at home,” Wilson said. “Getting a home cap is going to be something that I am really excited about and very proud to be part of.

“I started my career as an eight at Newcastle. I’ve played quite a lot of games there, though I’ve predominantly been at six. I am really excited for the opportunity to play at eight.

“I set out in my career to play No.8 and to have this opportunity is going to be a special occasion.”

Wilson is relishing the opportunity to play No.8 for England

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It will also be a proud moment for Newcastle. The club are not shy in England representatives, given they produced Jonny Wilkinson and have also provided the likes of Toby Flood, Mathew Tait, Jamie Noon and Kieran Brooks since. But there has been a notable lack of players hailing from the Falcons since Jones took the national team reins, which has also coincided with their climb up the Premiership and return to being a top-four side.

“As the team’s been announced I’ve had well-wishers from around the area,” Wilson adds at England training base in Vilamoura ahead of their flight back to London. “It’s important that we have a representation and it’s nice to be one of the guys who is.

“I’ve just seen a Falcons fan in the compound just now – which was quite surprising. It’s obviously special.”

Of course, he and his club colleagues are in good hands. Dean Richards has long bemoaned the lack of recognition that his side receives at international level, but lately there have been signs of the tide turning on that front.

With Wilson starting a home autumn international on the biggest stage, less than a year out from a Rugby World Cup, it feels like this is his chance to shine and prove that he belongs among the 31-man squad that Jones will take to Japan - and luckily he has the perfect man in Newcastle to get him there.

Falcons coach Richards has played a key role in Wilson's development

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“I’ve been working with Dean a long time now,” he said. “A lot of my appraisals, he’s always making sure that I still have those skills in the locker if I have to shift across to No.8. Obviously things have changed a bit from when he used to play at eight.

“He talks about stamping on Martin Johnson’s calves. Those days are gone. He’s great to speak to about this.”

That Johnson and Richards were teammates for Leicester Tigers, England and the Lions throughout their entire careers probably says more about Richards than it does about what the game used to be like.

But come Saturday, Wilson can focus on his own game and what he can offer England, given that playing in a Vunipola-sized shadow can prove hard to break out of.

“I think just go out and do my best, do my best for my teammates with the role I’ve been given and try not to think too much about the future,” he adds. “I am just thinking about this game and my role in this game to beat South Africa.

“You know exactly what the South African team is going to bring, a lot of physicality. But we’ve got different strengths and different qualities. It’ll be an interesting match-up.

“I bring different skill sets to the guys who’ve played previously. I like to pride myself on my energy on both sides of the ball and my work ethic. Hopefully I can bring plenty of that at the weekend and complement the guys either side of me.”