BUOYANT Freddie Burns has hit the form of his life – but the Gloucester fly-half hopes he is nowhere near his peak.
The livewire 22-year-old admits taking on New Zealand at Twickenham will be the realisation of a boyhood dream, but he remains unfazed by facing the world champions and stellar fly-half Dan Carter.
Gloucester fly-half Burns is in line for his first cap tomorrow, as he takes a seat on the bench for England's final autumn international (kick-off 2.30pm).
England boss Stuart Lancaster all-but admitted yesterday that he will add Burns to the Elite Player Squad when he makes his scheduled review in January.
Lancaster intimated he might have used Burns in England's opening autumn clash with Fiji, but could not alter the squad he selected in the summer due to the existing agreement with Premiership clubs.
Enthused by his chance this week and Lancaster's longer-term endorsement, Burns said he cannot let the occasion or his impending elevation shift focus from tomorrow's imposing All Blacks challenge.
Both Gloucester and England will be forgiven for salivating at the prospect of the Premiership's leading points-scorer and player of the month rating his sparkling form as only just the start.
Burns explained: "I do feel in good form, I feel as though I've been able to look into my locker and find what's needed.
"On a wet, windy day against Sale last weekend it was the kind of weather people might not associate with my normal game, but I just sat back in the pocket and put the boys in the corner.
"I've been helped massively by the pack at the club, they've been fantastic all season and they really put me in the right positions all the time.
"I've definitely developed into the form of my life so far, but I still think there's plenty more to come.
"If I'm honest I hadn't thought about England too much before now – the start of the season was just about focusing on my Gloucester form.
"We lost six games at the end of last year, Gloucester was a dark place to be and I just wanted to help turn that around.
"I wanted to take Gloucester back up the Premiership, and then what came off the back of that would come.
"Gloucester's form has definitely helped get me here, no doubt – and now I'm here I'm just going to go with the flow and enjoy the moment while I'm in it!"
Burns has lost none of his trademark cool given his first elevation to the England match squad after Toby Flood's toe injury.
In fact his only change this week has been to clean a certain section of his white Mercedes' bumper – one of his Gloucester wag team-mates drew a puerile symbol into the grime of winter.
Passable in the Hartpury College car park maybe, but Burns admitted such pranks are not suitable for the plush surroundings at England's Pennyhill Park Hotel base.
Keen to transfer his Gloucester form to the highest level if the chance arises, Burns said England's coaches have given him the green light to do exactly that.
While Lancaster is in place to predict Burns' elevation in January – the young man himself said he cannot give it any thought.
"I'm here for a reason: because of the way I've played at Gloucester," he asserted.
"Mike Catt, Andy Farrell and Stuart have all spoken to me about my game and how happy they've been with it, and it's just a case of continuing that, albeit against the best opposition in the world.
"It's fantastic to be here now, I'm just enjoying this.
"January is still a month away and I've got to make sure I continue my form to make sure I can be in the mix for selection to the EPS.
"But I'm not looking too far ahead – there's a pretty big challenge at the weekend!
"Everything that comes with New Zealand, the Haka, the jersey, the players, it's something you grow up dreaming about playing against all of it.
"It gets no bigger, so there's huge excitement for me looking forward to it all, and hopefully I can get on and be a part of a strong England performance."
Bath-born Burns could just as easily have carved up the Premiership for the Blue, Black and Whites, but he confirmed it was Dean Ryan who convinced him Gloucester could offer him a clear route to the top.
He continued: "I can't put my development down to just one coach, I've been lucky enough to take aspects from everyone who has coached me.
"Even from when I started at Under-Sevens with Avon rugby club, they've all played a part in where I am today.
"Hopefully I can do them all proud if I get on the field on Saturday.
"I hold no regrets leaving Bath and coming to Gloucester.
"I had to think to myself where am I going to develop best as a player; I met with Dean Ryan and he laid out a route for me up to the first team that really caught my eye.
"I've never been a worrier, this is a massive opportunity: Dan Carter is respected the world over, but if I get on the field I won't worry about him, I'll just try to make the right calls at the right times."