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England debut was awesome, says Parling

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Geoff Parling says it was a brilliant feeling to win his first international cap in England's 13-6 victory over Scotland on Saturday.

Parling came off the bench after an hour of the Calcutta Cup clash and helped England kick-off their Six Nations campaign with a first victory at Murrayfield since 2004.

“It’s a brilliant feeling and it means a lot to me because I like to think I have worked hard to get here,” says Parling, who was picked for England's tour of Australia in 2010, where he played in a tour game against Australian Barbarians.

“I went over to see my parents after the final whistle and my dad was really emotional.

“It was awesome to finally get the shirt on – and they are hard shirts to get on too.

“I absolutely loved it. It was a brilliant opportunity for me, especially after I had just got my head through the door in Australia, the injury the following year and the niggle this year.”

Parling adds: “It’s a really good set of lads here. I am enjoying the culture and the management.

“Everyone is working hard. They are a really good set of lads. The management wanted to get some good blokes in to set a culture. That culture drives you because you want to play for the guy next to you and that drives you on a little bit more.

“It was a massive victory. I am pleased but I won’t get carried away. I just hope I will get some more chances.

“I want to look forward to Italy now and I hope we can build on this.”

England return to Six Nations action on Saturday (4pm kick-off) when they take on Italy in Rome's Stadio Olimpico.