England Saxons head coach Steve Bates believes that his team's triumph in the Barclays Churchill Cup has given England's hopefuls the best possible chance of future honours.

And with next season's Elite Player Squad being announced on July 1, Bates hopes that a number of players may be in with a shout sooner rather than later.

"We've got some great leaders who stepped forward today and alongside them some of the younger players put their hands up and showed how much they want to make the step up to seniors," he said.

"Jordan Crane was excellent and his award was deserved recognition.

"I also thought that Jack Forster was outstanding today, as was Ollie Smith, particularly in defence where his influence showed.

"Nick Abendanon showed himself to be a much more mature player, more considered in his options and our second row of Chris Jones and George Skivington were excellent too.

"For me the real star of the show has been Paul Hodgson, he's been fantastic in every game."

And the London Irish scrum half, who started out with Sutton & Epsom, acknowledges that inclusion in a week's time has spurred many of the players on.

"Breaking into that elite 32-man squad is on all the players' agendas," said Ewell-based Hodgson.

That's where we strive to be so getting included is a massive target."

The scrum half, who already has a cap to his name, knew that coming back as part of a winning team would help his cause but, he admits, it wasn't easy.

"The Scots were very up for it and being a final they made us fight for a long time," he added.

"It was only when we got a score ahead of them in the second half that we managed to break away a bit.

"All in all, we came here to win the tournament and that's what we've done.

"It has been a great tournament for me, you learn so much playing with different players.

"You have to adapt very quickly and that's what international rugby is all about.

"I thought that's what really came out this tour, we've moulded together very well as a team that that's what won it for us.

One of those to impress Hodgson was his Exiles team mate Steffon Armitage.

"Steff showed that he's an outstanding player, not only an impact player but also a guy who can last a full 80 minutes," he said.

"He has got great stamina but he's really quick as he showed today with an outstanding break. He's probably one of the best over the ball, a great defender and a great carrier.

"He has got it all really and he is definitely one for the future."