David Strettle cuts a confident figure with his rock star haircut and devastating finishing, but the England winger revealed he is driven by a constant fear of failure.

Strettle, 23, is sure to be one of the first names on Brian Ashton's team-sheet for next weekend's Test against South Africa after a stunning breakthrough season.

''You can only start expecting things when you feel comfortable,'' Strettle said.

''I am starting to feel like a first-team player at Quins but that is not the case with England. The day I expect to be picked for England will be a strange day indeed.''

Strettle's trait for negative thinking was identified by a sports psychologist and has actually proven a valuable asset.

Barely 18 months ago, Strettle was a National League One player with Rotherham. This season Strettle has played for the England Sevens, the England Saxons and Ashton's senior Test team, scoring a try on his debut against Ireland at Croke Park.

He was a key figure in England's famous win over France, helped newly-promoted Harlequins qualify for the Heineken Cup and won inclusion in the Premiership's team of the year.

To cap it all he was picked for the summer tour and voted the Professional Rugby Players' Association young player of the year.

''I have been told I am a negative thinker but it is sometimes a strong thing to be in sport because you are always pushing away from failure,'' he said.

''I don't doubt myself but I am afraid of failure and that means I want to succeed. Whenever I go out on the park - whether it be for Lymme, where I used to play, or Rotherham or Quins or England I am scared of failure. I want to go and succeed."