Stepping in to the shoes of a British and Irish Lion is no easy task, especially if the lion in question is a bulldozing Mako Vunipola.

But this is a mission taken on and passed with flying colours by Richard Barrington.

This time last year the prop was plying his trade at championship side Jersey and his performances caught the idea of those involved at Saracens.

A trial at the club saw him take to the field in the LV=Cup against Worcester last season and the 24 year old made the full time switch to the north London club at the start of the season.

For most clubs having a prop away representing his country while another was spending his time in the physio room would be a great source of worry but up stepped Barrington.

Still young in prop terms, the former Gloucester academy player has looked right at home in the surroundings of the Aviva Premiership.

While his rival for the loosehead shirt warms the bench for England, Barrington is putting in a string of powerful and impressive performances for the club and will only get better.

His presence on the field has made a visible impact this season and there is no doubt that Barrington will at the very least hold his own against some of the world’s best scrummagers.

With Saracens still fighting on three fronts strength in depth and competition for places is crucial and that is something they will certainly have.

As the season steams on the challenges the former jersey man will face will intensify but there is no sign so far that this will phase in the slightest.

With Barrington and Vunipola just 24 and 23 years old respectively, the future is looking very bright for the Saracens’ number one shirt with fans, coaches and players alike hoping that the two English youngsters can create a formidable loosehead duo for years and trophies to come.