Lawes was playing for his local rugby club, Old Scouts, just three years ago

Former Northampton and England wing Jon Sleightholme has backed the crop of young Saints in England's elite playing squad to be international successes.

Dylan Hartley, Shane Geraghty, Courtney Lawes and Ben Foden were all in the squad for the autumn series but enjoyed mixed fortunes.

Sleightholme told BBC Radio Northampton: "Lawes is a phenomenon.

"He's going to be a fixture for Saints and England for years to come, and it's the same for Geraghty and Foden."

Second-row Lawes, 20, made his international debut from the bench against Australia, having been promoted from the Saxons squad but was not handed a start against either Argentina or the All Blacks.

Saints full-back Foden, aged 24, was left frustrated by omission from the three England match-day squads and made no secret of his disappointment.

It is unusual for a player to be vocally critical of the England management when they're as young as Ben Jon Sleightholme

"It's a mystery why he didn't play. He is playing sensational rugby this season," said Sleightholme.

"He's matured as a full-back from being quite impetuous in the past.

"But it is unusual for a player to be vocally critical of the England management when they're as young as Ben, with the potential that he has. It shows how disappointed he was."

Sleightholme also praised Northampton fly-half Geraghty who, despite starting the first two matches at inside centre, was reduced to a role from the bench against New Zealand.

"Shane is immensely talented, and he's got free rein to play his natural game at Saints.

"Along with the other young players at the club, he's in the right environment to make even more of an improvement."

Out of the Northampton quartet involved hooker, and club captain, Hartley enjoyed the most time on the Twickenham pitch after coming on as a substitute against Australia and then starting the following two internationals.

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