England Saxons head coach Jon Callard has hailed David Seymour as the best genuine open-side flanker in the country.
Seymour was among five of the Saxons side who stood out in Saturday's frustrating 13-7 defeat by Scotland A and who Callard believes can push for Test honours in the immediate future.
Worcester's number eight Kai Horstmann repeatedly made inroads into theScotland defence, 24-year-old lock James Hudson enhanced his growing reputation, Paul Hodgson was typically competitive at scrum-half and veteran prop David Barnes was a powerful force both in the scrum and the loose.
And Seymour, ubiquitous at the bottom of rucks and a constant nuisance to the opposition, is arguably the nearest English rugby has to a new Neil Back at present. Since the Leicester man retired in 2003 England have turned to Lewis Moody, Pat Sanderson and now Magnus Lund - all magnificent, versatile loose forwards but none of them genuine sevens.
Seymour is and he could be the answer as England look to inject pace and dynamism into their game in the build-up to the World Cup.
``Look at his pathway. He had a good under-21 career, he has won things under Mike Friday with the England Sevens and demonstrated what he can do with the Saxons. Surely the next step now for him is England,'' said Callard.
``He is an out-and-out seven and in my limited view he is a genuine prospect.
``Unfortunately the view in the modern game is that a seven needs to carry the ball and jump in the lineout.
``I'm a believer that if you want to play an expansive game and keep the ball moving you have to have an out-and-out seven.
``You want a player who can sniff the ball out, get over it, support play and link play - do all the classic things a fantastic seven does.
``David has one position, one role and he does it very well. It will be interesting to see whether his style is what is needed at the next level up.''
England dominated the scrum, possession and territory in their Barclays Churchill Cup opener but in difficult conditions failed to translate that supremacy into points.
Callard puts it down to tactical naivety and a lack of ``game intelligence'' - but frustrated as he was by referee Gary Wise's interpretation of the breakdown he refuses to be too downhearted.
``Winning for me is first and foremost, development comes second - but it is still encouraging to think those five guys could press for this World Cup or go on to the next one,'' said Callard.
``I hope a majority of this squad are included in the England's elite squad next season.''
Before then, though, the Saxons have to wait with fingers crossed that Canada can take advantage of Scotland's short turnaround and win on Wednesday night in Ottawa.
``It is like buying the lottery - we are wishing for things we have no control over. It is disappointing for these players but they still have a big opportunity ahead of them,'' said Callard.
Scotland are in the Pool A driving seat and one more win will put them into the Churchill Cup final, where they are likely to meet either Ireland A or the NZ Maori.
``This is a massive game,'' said winger Simon Danielli, Scotland's try-scorer against England.
``We have a short turnaround, there are some tired bodies but we have a good squad out here and the guys will step into the shirt and do Scotland proud.''
Bates, Scotland A's head coach, is due to announce his side to face Canada late this evening, UK time.
Ireland head up Pool B after their opening victory over the United States butwill watch with interest how tournament favourites the NZ Maori fare against the Eagles on Wednesday.
The Maori arrived in San Francisco over the weekend straight from a 20-16 win over Super 14 semi-finalists the NSW Waratahs in Sydney. New Maori coach Donny Stevenson said: ``We know where we're heading in terms of the USA and Canada because we've played them. That was two years ago and they're getting stronger and stronger.
``We don't know much about Ireland A, England A and Scotland A. They're a bit of the unknown.''