Warren Gatland has tipped both Ellis Genge and Marcus Smith to shine for England ahead of their upcoming autumn internationals. England will take on Argentina, Japan and New Zealand, with the Argentines the first to come this Saturday.
The autumn months is always an exciting time for the sport, and amongst all the action Gatland has pin-pointed two England players who he expects to stand out across their three fixtures. Writing in his column for the Telegraph, the former Wales coach outlined Genge and Smith, and was complimentary of both.
Genge has proven to be a key player for Eddie Jones' side in recent years, and former New Zealand star Gatland is only expecting the Bristol Bears man to improve this Autumn.
He wrote : "Ellis Genge has really grown in the last year or so. His game has gone to a new level. He's the real modern day prop: strong in the set-piece but has that carrying game and great mobility around the park.
"The role of props has definitely changed in the last five years. You have to be mobile, and Genge has fulfilled that role exceptionally well. I've been really impressed with how his game has continued to improve and the fact he's a candidate for the England captaincy.
"It's brilliant to see the way he has settled down and matured. Hats off to him. Unsurprisingly one of England's star men in Smith also made it onto Gatland's list. The New Zealander has worked closely with the 23-year-old star during his role with the British and Irish Lions, and has tipped him to become an 'absolute superstar'.
He went on: "Marcus Smith has to be on here. When we brought him out on the Lions I was incredibly impressed with him. I watched him in a Harlequins-Wasps game a few years ago when Jacob Umaga was in the England squad, and while Wasps won late on, between the two fly-halves Smith was the class player on the day.
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"At the time I was surprised he wasn't more on the England radar. His running game is special, being able to put players into holes. There's less space at Test level, but Smith has the makings of an absolute superstar and can be the difference for England.
"I like his maturity, the balance he has in his game with kick-run-pass, he communicates well. That relationship can continue with Owen Farrell." Genge, Smith and the rest of the England squad will return to action this Saturday, when they take on Argentina at 2:15pm at Twickenham.
