Nick Abendanon expects England Saxons' clash with Ireland A in Dublin tomorrow to be "a hundred times harder" than their match against Portugal six days ago.

The Bath full-back took the man-of-the-match award following a classy display in the Saxons' 66-0 victory over Portugal at Edgeley Park.

But with England taking on an experienced Irish side – which includes six full internationals – at Donnybrook tomorrow, the 22-year-old is expecting a completely different challenge.

"Portugal weren't the greatest side in the world, so I got a lot of space and opportunities to run last week," said Abendanon.

"But not many teams nowadays allow you that much room – and I know Ireland will give us a completely different game.

"We have just seen the team Ireland are putting out – and it is very strong – so we know this game is going to be a hundred times harder than it was against Portugal. But the boys are ready and we are all excited by this."

The Ireland side includes experienced campaigners such as London Irish captain Bob Casey, Leinster flanker Shane Jennings, Northampton's Neil Best and Wasps scrum-half Eoin Reddan.

And while Abendanon knows another impressive display against such established opposition could boost his claims for a senior international recall, he is focusing only on the job in hand.

"You can't think too far ahead," he said. "I have got to play well for these guys first, and then hopefully the coaches will see that I am coming into a bit of form. Then, if there are any injuries, I will be in a position where they could call me up.

"I would love to be involved in the Six Nations, but first I have to play well for the Saxons in Dublin on Friday."

Abendanon will be joined by Bath team-mate Matt Banahan in the Saxons side tomorrow, while the club's lock Stuart Hooper is named on the bench.

Gloucester prop Alasdair Dickinson and the club's former fly-half Chris Paterson have been named as replacements when Scotland host Wales in the Six Nations Championship on Sunday.

Ireland A team to play England Saxons at Donnybrook, Dublin tomorrow (7.35pm): G Duffy (Connacht); A Trimble (Ulster), D Cave (Ulster), K Matthews (Connacht), M McCrea (Ulster); J Sexton (Leinster), E Reddan (Wasps); C Healy (Leinster), S Cronin (Connacht), M Ross (Harlequins), B Casey (London Irish, capt), R Caldwell (Ulster), N Best (Northampton), S Jennings (Leinster), J Muldoon (Connacht). Reps: J Fogarty (Leinster), J Andress (Exeter), D Ryan (Munster), S O'Brien (Leinster), I Boss (Ulster), I Humphreys (Ulster), B Murphy (Munster).

England Saxons: N Abendanon (Bath); T Ojo (London Irish), D Waldouck (Wasps), J Turner-Hall (Harlequins), M Banahan (Bath); D Cipriani (Wasps), H Ellis (Leicester) or P Hodgson (London Irish); M Mullan (Worcester), D Paice (London Irish), D Wilson (Newcastle), J Crane (Leicester), G Skivington (Wasps, capt), C Robshaw (Harlequins), W Skinner (Harlequins), T Guest (Harlequins). Reps: R Webber (Wasps), D Cole (Leicester), S Hooper (Bath), P Dowson (Newcastle), P Hodgson (London Irish) or J Simpson (Wasps), S Myler (Northampton), D Strettle (Harlequins).