Jamie Roberts has warned Wales they must guard against the threat of opposing centre Riki Flutey when they face England in their Six Nations opener at Twickenham on Saturday.
Roberts won plaudits for his displays during the British and Irish Lions losing tour of South Africa last year when the powerful 6ft 4in Blues back formed a productive midfield partnership with Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll.
But when the 23-year-old Roberts was injured for the Lions' third Test victory in Johannesburg, New Zealand-born Flutey deputised in stylish fashion, creating a try for Wales wing Shane Williams with an outrageous flick pass on the touchline.
Flutey was named on Tuesday alongside the talented Mathew Tait in England's midfield and Roberts said: "Riki is a great guy and somebody I learnt a huge amount off on the Lions tour.
"We got on really well and he taught me a lot.
"He is a very agile guy, a very skilful player. He kicks and passes the ball well and puts other players into space.
"He is a tricky player if you don't contain him. We have been doing our analysis, and he is one of their key players and key threats.
"We will be looking to contain him, that is for sure."
Meanwhile any opponent looking to put pre-match pressure on Roberts is unlikely to match the burden of expectation the 23-year-old medical student has placed on his own, sizeable, shoulders by saying "it's time for me to step up and deliver now in this Six Nations."
Few Wales backs shone during November defeats by New Zealand and Australia but Roberts, speaking ahead of Wednesday's team announcement, said criticism was nothing new.
"There will always be doubters out there. I feel I am in good form and back at the top of my game, but there are always people trying to knock you down.
"I just get on with it, train hard and work hard.
"Things have come so quickly for me, and there is pressure there to perform. It's the same for any other player - you play for Wales and the Lions, and that happens - and you have to deliver.
"The main thing for me is to enjoy it all. There is a real focus to get a result at Twickenham.
"I know it's time for me to step up and deliver now in this Six Nations.
"It is the international shop window and I am at the stage now where I have to kick on and show some leadership skills."
