If they are good enough, they are old enough. What Henry Pollock, who turns 20 on Tuesday, lacks in experience, he certainly makes up for with confidence.

The Northampton flanker has been in bristling, bustling form, relishing every confrontation put in front of him.

An age-grade World Cup winner last summer and a star performer in England A's win over Australia in the autumn, he seems destined for the Test stage.

Maro Itoje, similarly heralded on the pathways, was blooded young and quickly with a call-up to a World Cup training squad at 20 and a Six Nations debut as a 21-year-old. He never looked back.

Bath's Guy Pepper, Sale's Ben Curry and Saints team-mate Tom Pearson might present opposing arguments, but Pollock's two timely tries against Stade Francais on Saturday could put him on a similarly fast track.