Wednesday 20 April 2016 10:10, UK
Wrecking-ball flankers Nathan Hughes and Billy Vunipola could thrive in the same England back-row, according to Wasps loose-forward George Smith.
Bullish ball-carrying loose-forwards Hughes and Vunipola will collide when Wasps face Saracens in the semi-finals of the European Champions Cup, but they could ultimately become England team-mates in the fullness of time.
And Smith insists the pair could forge a devastating combination, despite their similar strengths.
"Definitely there is scope for them to play together in the same England back-row," said Smith.
"All back-rowers have to have the ability to play all three of the positions, you don't want to be one-dimensional in the way you play the game.
"You don't want a number eight just to have the specific skills for that position, he has to have the ability to switch between six and seven as well.
Fiji-born Hughes will qualify for England on residency terms in June, but too late to be eligible for the three-Test tour of Australia this summer.
Smith expects his Wasps team-mate to be pushing hard for Test honours by the time the autumn internationals swing around, however.
Before all that, though, Smith believes Billy Vunipola and Hughes will relish their head-to-head confrontation this Saturday in the Champions Cup semi-final, live on Sky Sports 1.
"Nathan's an exceptional player and people have seen him display his abilities over the past couple of seasons," said Smith.
"I knew of Nathan last season and to see how he has developed and taken to his work has been fantastic. Knowing him and knowing how he works, I believe he's a very dangerous player out there.
"Everyone sees that Nathan is Test calibre, he dominates when he carries the ball. There's no doubt he has the ability to play at that level. Give him the opportunity and he'll take it."
