SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Gareth Southgate’s side thrills me but English rugby has as much talent ahead of summer tours to face the All Blacks and Japan

Like Gareth Southgate and his England footballers, Steve Borthwick and the country’s rugby stars have a hugely exciting and potentially defining few weeks ahead.

The similarities between the two teams are striking. Both are packed with exciting young players blessed with brilliant, natural ability.

For Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka in football, read Marcus Smith, Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in rugby. There are others in Borthwick’s squad I’m excited by, particularly Fin Smith and George Martin.

Rightly or wrongly, Southgate and Borthwick have a reputation for pragmatism and a defensive mindset. They will have to throw that approach out of the window to have success this summer.

Borthwick’s selection of George Furbank at full back in the Six Nations over Freddie Steward — who many considered undroppable — was especially positive. Combined with the success of Feyi-Waboso, I hope Borthwick has the confidence to throw the kitchen sink at Japan and New Zealand this summer. 

Marcus Smith is another talented player who is capable of making a major impact

Tommy Freeman is a special talent and is capable of playing both wing and centre 

I’ve been heartened by their progress. At the end of the Six Nations we saw the team ditch the kick-fest approach that tarnished the end of the Eddie Jones era. Against Ireland and France, England attacked with the pace and intensity everyone wants to see.

It seems Borthwick wants to continue on that path. With Marcus or Fin Smith leading the team from No 10 and Freeman and Feyi-Waboso out wide, England have a back division that wants to play quickly and cause real damage. The big question is: can the forwards do likewise? If coached correctly, they are capable of it. But England’s pack is still some way behind the best. This summer is a massive chance to bridge the gap.

The No 1 skill of any international coach is selection. Southgate faces the headache of how he’ll get all his talented attackers into one team, Borthwick has a big call on which Smith to pick at fly-half. Borthwick’s biggest consideration is the 10-12-13 axis. He has to get that right.

With Manu Tuilagi now unavailable, it is an opportunity to move on from a period that, bar a few standout performances, has not delivered as it promised. Tuilagi’s availability often became an unnecessary distraction.

With the talent England have, it is essential the midfield starts working. Henry Slade still has a big role to play. I’d have Marcus Smith at fly-half with a centre pairing of Slade and Freeman.

Freeman is special and can play both wing and centre. He reminds me of Ben Cohen, who had a brilliant combination of power and timing. Ollie Lawrence has been fantastic, offers a physical presence and will undoubtedly be in the midfield conversation.

But playing Slade at 12 offers a second kicking option to Marcus Smith and provides plenty of experience.

Henry Slade still has a big part to play and offers a second kicking option to Smith at 12

Ollie Sleightholme deserves to start after his surprise emergence as the Premiership’s leading try scorer

I’d play Feyi-Waboso and Ollie Sleightholme on the wings. The former is a nailed-on starter and Sleightholme has come from nowhere to finish as the Premiership’s leading try scorer.

It is such an exciting summer of sport and English rugby needs to show why it can still be a blockbuster attraction. It is telling that, for the first time, traditional broadcasters will not air England’s game in Japan.

That will be a brilliant opener, while New Zealand is the toughest place you can play international rugby. England will do well to match them, but they can and I’m excited to see them in action.

My England XV: G Furbank; I Feyi-Waboso, T Freeman, H Slade, O Sleightholme; M Smith, A Mitchell; J Marler, J George (capt), D Cole, M Itoje, G Martin, T Curry, B Earl, S Underhill.