The 18-year-old has played in front of 35,000 fans at Toulouse and will appear in front of a sell-out crowd tomorrow night in Grenoble when the tournament’s two unbeaten teams go head-to-head.
The game is the first time rugby has been played at the new Stade des Alpes, where England will aim to silence a 20,000 crowd and build on their wins over Wales (28-15) and Italy (22-13).
And Youngs has received some wise words from Tigers World Cup winner Neil Back about playing on a big stage away from home.
“Everyone in the squad knows that this is our biggest game and it’s a great challenge to go and beat France in France,” said Youngs. “We expect them to be very physical and French sides playing at home always have a great deal of belief in themselves. They’ll come out at us and it’s important we match them early on – if we can do that well we’re in with a good chance.
“Having a big crowd on your side can lift you but I’ve spoken to Neil Back about playing away and he gave some good advice.
“He said: ‘It’s just a pitch and it’ll be exactly the same size and shape wherever it is and however many people there are watching’. You just have to focus on your own personal job.”
Youngs, whose father Nick was capped by England in the 1980s, became the youngest ever Tigers player when he made his first-team debut at the age of 17 against Bristol in April 2007. He has appeared for the national side at U-16, 18 and 20 levels.
“I’ve been very fortunate the way things have happened for me at Leicester,” said Youngs. “It’s unfortunate that Harry Ellis has been injured but it opened the door for me to have a chance and be thrown in at the deep end. I’ve really enjoyed every moment of it.
“I want to be a professional player and it’s important to get that game time to improve and Leicester have been very generous. Without the opportunities would I have improved as much? I don’t know. I’m just trying to take them all.
“If I have to describe the way I play I’d have to say I enjoy the attacking side of the game. I like to have a go and maybe that might have the coaches tearing their hair out sometimes.
“But I’ve got lots to work on and I’m still a long way away from the player I’d like to be. You always have to keep working on your passing and your game management and I’ll be continuing to do that at Leicester with Jamie Hamilton who’s been very supportive and England's Mark Mapletoft.”
Youngs has already shown his ability to play what he sees in front of him and take opportunities, fashioning a superb score for Noah Cato in the second half against Italy in Genoa.
The Saracens wing spotted an opening on a big blind-side and Youngs reacted with a 20 metre break before putting Cato away for a game-clinching score.
“We’re a good all round side,” added Youngs. “Jordan Turner-Hall and Luke Eves in the centre are both strong runners, we’ve got a load of terrific wingers who can finish chances and a really competitive pack of forwards.
“It makes for a great balance and it’s very exciting to be involved in. If we’re on top of our game we’ve got the ability to punish lots of teams.”
