Freddie Burns knows a career-defining weekend awaits him. Go well at Eden Park on Saturday and he can finally put a dismal domestic season behind him. Fail to show the necessary composure against the All Blacks, on the other hand, and his chances of making next year’s World Cup squad will be seriously compromised. Owen Farrell, George Ford, Stephen Myler, Danny Cipriani, Henry Slade … there is an increasingly long queue of ambitious English 10s out there.

Less than a year ago Burns was as buoyant as any of Farrell’s rivals, his ability to make things happen on and around the gainline having earned him an international debut off the bench in the 2012 Twickenham win over New Zealand and two successful starts in Argentina last summer. What no one saw coming was his drastic loss of form and confidence at club level after it became public knowledge he had agreed to move from Gloucester to Leicester. “There are 101 things I would do differently, looking back,” he murmured, having been confirmed in England’s starting XV to face the All Blacks ahead of Cipriani.

If he does rise to the occasion – he will also be England’s principal goalkicker – it will certainly reward Stuart Lancaster’s faith.

Cipriani has delivered the better Premiership form this year but Burns, now 24, has spent longer within the camp and is more familiar with the calls and systems. It is a window of opportunity he cannot afford to waste, with Farrell, fitness permitting, due to return for the second Test in Dunedin and Ford set to be available for this autumn’s internationals.

With the powerful Ma’a Nonu, among others, certain to explore the fly-half channel and the likelihood that England’s first-choice scrum-half, Danny Care, will be ruled out because of a shoulder injury, it adds up to a serious test of character, although the Bath-born Burns insists fear is not his principal emotion. “I’m just excited. I don’t see it as a task you can get too nervous about,” he said. “To play the All Blacks at Eden Park is something you can’t let daunt you. You’ve just got to go out there and have a go.”

So what exactly did happen with Gloucester last season? In the end it was down to a whole range of things: a pack going backwards, the premature announcement of his decision to sign for Leicester and the subsequent stress the decision caused him during his latter months at Kingsholm. “By going out in front of the media and talking about it, it almost brought more pressure,” reflects Burns. “I felt like it turned more eyes on me. It seemed to raise more questions than it answered. But I feel confident again now. I feel a big weight is off my shoulders. Last season is now put to bed and I am in a different environment. I am more mentally strong than I was through the season.”

Burns has also never shied away from the grand stage when the opportunity arises. “I see myself as a player who thrives in big games and in big atmospheres. If I miss the first kick – which I won’t – I’ll just have to move on and deal with it. Any opportunity to start at 10 for England, given the way Owen has played, has to be taken.

“I am not going to pile pressure on myself as if this is a trial game. You know whenever you get the chance to start for England you have to play well, which is what I plan to do. It’s always tough when you’re not playing well and other 10s have had exceptional seasons but if you get too caught up in what others are doing it’s going to affect your game. I’m trying to focus on myself and trying to get back to where I can be.”

Lancaster clearly still believes in him, which is half the battle. Across town, too, his brother Billy is a member of the England Under-20 side looking to retain the Junior World Championship. Both are fully aware fly-halves are the most eagerly pursued players on the field. “I am sure to be targeted at the weekend but that is something I have to relish,” Burns said. “Last time I played for England out in Argentina it was similar, with some of their big boys coming down at me, and I defended really well.

“It’s a different [defensive] system with England than at Gloucester and I feel it benefits me. It’s about me looking forward and really seizing the opportunity I’ve got at the weekend.”