The 2015 World Cup may have come slightly too soon for Maro Itoje but former England star Lewis Moody is convinced his international future is bright.

A breakout season for Saracens earned Itoje a place in Stuart Lancaster’s 50-man pre-World Cup training camp but the versatile forward was one of five men cut before the squad headed to Denver for altitude training.

The 20-year-old made his Sarries debut barely two years ago but such is the regard he is held in by the club, he has already captained the side in the LV= Cup in addition to leading Saracens Storm to the Aviva A League title.

Comfortable at lock or flanker, Itoje has also impressed on the international stage – being named as England’s Man of the Tournament at the 2014 U20 Six Nations before skippering the Red Rose to glory at the Junior World Championship later that year.

But it is his commitment to the cause and style of play on the pitch which has 2003 World Cup winner Moody predicting big things.

“Itoje has been really impressive,” said Moody, speaking at the Land Rover Experience Centre in Devon as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour.

“Whatever your skill-set is, the one thing I always look for when guys are coming on the scene is the temperament. How committed are they to their cause?

“Do they ever switch off or think there’s a moment when they don’t need to contest? Because if I see that once, then I don’t need you.

“But Maro is always involved and always pushing every sort of boundary. Opponents will hate him for that but I like that element of him.

“He’s physical, he wants to be in there competing and his skill-set is improving every time he plays. At a young age he’s making a nuisance or himself and causing a problem for guys who are more experienced.”

During his playing days, Moody’s willingness to chase down opponents and put his body on the line earned him the nickname ‘Mad Dog’, so perhaps it is no surprise he has taken a shine to Itoje.

And the 37-year-old admits he does see shades of himself in the young powerhouse.

“When I was playing, it was about never believing that the game was lost – every moment you were on the pitch, there was still an opportunity to win,” added Moody.

“Every play was contestable so it was about being involved and that’s probably why I look for that attitude as much as the skill.

“If you don’t have that attitude, you won’t make it as far, I won’t trust you as much and neither will your team-mates.

“So guys like Maro who have that are so valuable to a side which is why Saracens value him so highly and have given him the captaincy already.”

Lewis Moody is a Land Rover ambassador. Land Rover is a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015 and is recruiting all 96 official mascots for the tournament as part of its 'We Deal In Real' campaign. Follow @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal