Lewis Moody knows what it takes to captain his country – leading England at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

And the former flanker, who helped the Red Rose to World Cup glory eight years previously, believes Maro Itoje is an international captain in the making after the Saracen was nominated for this season’s Land Rover Discovery of the Season Award.

Saracens are still in with a shout of defending their Aviva Premiership Rugby crown as they prepare to battle Leicester Tigers next weekend for a place in the May 28 final at Twickenham.

But whatever happens this season has been one to remember for 21-year-old Itoje as he has made himself a mainstay of the Saracens’ first XV, as well as burst on the international by making his England debut, helping Eddie Jones kick off his new era by picking up the Six Nations title as one of the standout stars.

And while his career on the international stage is only just getting started, Moody insists he has seen enough from the second row to predict he will be one of England’s go-to men for years to come.

“Maro is the standout player on this list for me,” said Moody, with Itoje nominated alongside Sale Sharks’ Sam James, Leicester Tiger Harry Thacker, Northampton duo Paul Hill and Harry Mallinder as well as Harlequin Jack Clifford for the Land Rover Discovery of the Season Award.

“He is a young man, who was also a part of that England Under-20s set up, and there were huge things spoken about him.

“I’m fairly confident that we’ll see him as the next England captain in the not too distant future.

“But most importantly, he delivered when he had the opportunity. As a former player, or even when I was a player, what you really wanted to see was the young guys, that when they are given the chance, they really take it. And that’s what Maro did on his international debut.

“And that’s what he continued to do through each and every game.

“What I love about him, is that for me, he’s really a back rower playing in the second row. That’s not a problem because I’d rather have four back rowers playing on the pitch than three.

“He’s a wonderful find and I expect big things of him.”

The Land Rover Discovery of the Season award forms part of Land Rover’s ‘We Deal In Real’ campaign and its commitment to supporting rugby at all levels; from grassroots to the elite, recognising the burgeoning young talent emerging through English rugby.

But whoever takes home the main prize, Moody is adamant the future is bright to the Red Rose, “The future of English rugby does look really good,” he added. “You have to really comment on the player pathway that England have developed.

“They’ve worked on the coaching talent, and that’s clearly helping develop players through the Under-20s system, through the schools system and then making sure they move on and play in the senior side as that hasn’t always been the case.

“But the numbers of players we now see coming through that Under-20s and really delivering at a senior level is just wonderful.

“And the work that the clubs are doing to further their develop, and the Academy set up at all the clubs, have to be stand and be counted because there’s a wonderful selection of young players coming through at the minute.”

The winner of the Land Rover Discovery of the Season will be named at this seasons Premiership Rugby Awards on May 18. Keep up to date with Land Rover’s rugby activity by following @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal