BROMSGROVE School director of rugby, Tony Windo, has described former pupil Ollie Lawrence as the "the most talented he has seen" ahead of his potential England debut on Saturday against Italy.

Lawrence has been named among the substitutes for the Six Nations clash in Rome after spending the last week with the squad and Eddie Jones has shown his faith in the youngster by including him in the match day 23.

The Worcester Warriors centre joined the sixth form at Bromsgrove School for his A level years and Mr Windo admitted that he and the other coaches were blown away by his talent.

"He joined us for the sixth form and it was evident straight away that he was a real athlete with a tremendous amount of skill," he said.

"We spent a couple of years trying to hone that and guide him in the right direction.

"He was far better than a lot of the boys but it was trying to get him to understand how to play within a team environment because he had all the skill and talent but it was about trying to enhance that by getting him to play with the rest of the boys.

"Within his second year at school I made him first team captain and that wasn’t because he was just a very good rugby player, that was to try and make him see the team perspective from the game.

"Ollie was very good as an individual but he needed to understand it was a team game."

Bromsgrove School is renowned as one of the best for rugby in the country and players such as Wasps' hooker Matt Mullan, former Worcester fly-half Andy Goode and Northampton Saints legend, Ben Foden have come through the first team on their way to professional and international honours.

But Mr Windo had no hesitation in emphasising that Lawrence remains the best he has seen during his time in the job.

"We have produced a number of players to premiership and international level, but it’s easy to say he has been by far the most talented of all those who have gone on to those standards, he just had it all straight away.

As well as all the talent, Mr Windo was keen to outline the kind of person Ollie was whilst under his wing and believes the 21-year-old has the brightest of futures ahead.

"He was always a larger than life character and I can say that without a shadow of a doubt." he added.

"He was already achieving international honours at age group level when he joined us but never really became big headed with it, never showed off or got too big for his boots, he just always wanted to continue to get better

"I genuinely think this is the start of it all for Ollie, I really do.

"Even at school he always wanted to improve and following conversations we have had since he left , it is clear that remains his attitude from having; getting better, working hard to do so.

"The sky is the limit for him."

The game will be live on ITV 1, where Warriors fans will be hoping to see their star man make his debut off the bench.

England need to win with a bonus-point to stand the best chance of winning the competition, with what goes on in the final game between France and Ireland having an impact.