SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Gareth Southgate’s side thrills me but English rugby has as much talent ahead of summer tours to face the All Blacks and Japan

Like Gareth Southgate and his England footballers, Steve Borthwick and the country’s rugby stars have a hugely exciting and potentially decisive few weeks ahead.

The similarities between both teams are striking. Both are packed with exciting young players blessed with brilliant, natural skills.

For Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka in football, read Marcus Smith, Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in rugby. There are others in the Borthwick squad that I’m excited about, especially Fin Smith and George Martin.

Rightly or wrongly, Southgate and Borthwick have a reputation for pragmatism and a defensive mentality. They will have to throw that approach out the window to have success this summer.

Borthwick’s choice of George Furbank as a full-back in the Six Nations over Freddie Steward – who was seen by many as unmistakable – was particularly positive. Combined with Feyi-Waboso’s success, I hope Borthwick has the confidence to throw the kitchen sink at Japan and New Zealand this summer.

Marcus Smith is also a talented player capable of making a big impact

Tommy Freeman is a special talent and can play both on the wing and in the centre

I am encouraged by their progress. At the end of the Six Nations we saw the team leave behind the kickfest approach that tarnished the end of the Eddie Jones era. Against Ireland and France, England attacked with the pace and intensity that everyone wants to see.

It seems Borthwick wants to continue on that path. With Marcus or Fin Smith leading the team from number 10 and Freeman and Feyi-Waboso out wide, England have a back division that wants to play fast and do real damage. The big question is: can the attackers do the same? If they are coached properly, they are capable of doing this. But the English peloton is still some way behind the best. This summer is a huge opportunity to bridge the gap.

The most important skill of any international coach is selection. Southgate is faced with the headache of how he will get all his talented attackers into one team, Borthwick has a big decision to make in choosing Smith at fly-half. Borthwick’s biggest consideration is the 10-12-13 axis. He has to get that right.

With Manu Tuilagi unavailable, this is a chance to put a period behind him that, apart from some standout performances, has not delivered what was promised. Tuilagi’s availability often became an unnecessary distraction.

With the talent that England have, it is essential that the midfield works. Henry Slade still has a big role to play. I would have Marcus Smith at fly-half with a center pair of Slade and Freeman.

Freeman is special and can play on the wing or in the centre. He reminds me of Ben Cohen, who had a brilliant combination of power and timing. Ollie Lawrence has been fantastic, offers a physical presence and will no doubt be in the conversation in midfield.

But playing Slade at 12 gives Marcus Smith a second kick option and a lot of experience.

Henry Slade still has a big role to play, offering Smith a second kick option at 12

Ollie Sleightholme deserves to start after his surprise emergence as the Premier League’s leading try scorer

I would play Feyi-Waboso and Ollie Sleightholme on the wings. The former is a nailed-on starter and Sleightholme has come from nowhere to finish as the Premier League’s leading try scorer.

It’s such an exciting summer of sports and English rugby needs to show why it can still be a blockbuster attraction. Significantly, for the first time, traditional broadcasters will not broadcast the England match in Japan.

That will be a brilliant opener, while New Zealand is the toughest place to play international rugby. England will do well to match them, but they can and I’m happy to see them in action.

My England XV: G Furbank; I Feyi-Waboso, T Freeman, H Slade, O Sleightholme; M Smith, A Mitchell; J Marler, J George (captain), D Cole, M Itoje, G Martin, T Curry, B Earl, S Underhill.