Maro Itoje was something of a revelation for England during their recent Six Nations Grand Slam and 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Jason Robinson believes the powerhouse will serve as an inspiration to other youngsters trying to break through.

Itoje played at both lock and blindside flanker, making his debut off the bench against Italy before starting the victories over Ireland, Wales and France.

So impressive were his displays that he earned man-of-the-match plaudits against Wales, making the often daunting step up to the international stage look simple.

The 21-year-old Saracens star looks set to be a key cog at the heart of the England pack for years to come with coach Eddie Jones describing him as a Vauxhall Viva at the start of the Six Nations but a BMW by the end.

And HSBC ambassador Robinson – who scored the Red Rose’s only try in their 2003 World Cup final win over Australia – is convinced Itoje will continue to improve.

“Making the adjustment to international rugby is a very difficult thing to do. Some players make it look a lot easier than it is,” explained Robinson.

“He has come through the ranks, captained England Under-20s, playing like a senior player.

“Eddie is looking after him and keeping the pressure off him and controlling the media side for him and it allows him to just focus on his game.

“Against Wales in the penultimate game he came up against Alun Wyn Jones who is one of the best second-rows about and Itoje more than held his own.

“He had good steals in the line-out, good ball carries, a lot of work in the loose and set up Watson’s try so he is someone who is only going to get better with time.

“It is great because you want players like that coming through and taking their opportunity.”

Last autumn, England became the first host nation in the history of the Rugby World Cup to exit at the group stage but just a few months later, the Six Nations Grand Slam proved to be redemption.

Robinson acknowledges that the Red Rose cannot forget the lessons they learned at the World Cup but believes the young core that now exists is capable of giving the likes of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa a run for their money.

“This team can challenge the top teams – with time,” added Robinson. “This is a process and you cannot expect the boys to go from not qualifying from their group in the World Cup to winning the World Cup.

“But what we have to do now is use the disappointments and lessons from the last World Cup to build.

“Thankfully we have three and a half years to the next World Cup and when you look at the players like Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson, Jack Clifford and other young guys like that coming through.

“That’s not to mention people like Jamie George who are putting pressure on the senior guys in the team – that can only be good for the game.”

In Rugby Seven’s biggest year the next generation of rugby stars, inspired by the Rugby World Cup, from more than 650 teams descended on Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens to start on their own journey and break new ground http://www.rpns7.co.uk/