Leicester Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill has tipped Tom Croft to be as good as any of England's great back rowers.

Croft, 23, starred for the British & Irish Lions this summer despite only making the tour to South Africa because of Alan Quinlan's suspension.

Cockerill backs former England great Richard Hill, who says Croft is the key to making England a force again.

He says he has the potential to be as good as any of England's Holy Trinity of Hill, Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back.

Cockerill, speaking from Tigers' pre-season tour base in Saint-Affrique, southern France, said: "No-one wanted to pick him, and when they have picked him they found out he was really good.

"He was enormous for the Lions. He will get better, more robust, more physical.

"I think he will be a world- class player, and if he keeps working on his game he will be as good as anyone we have seen – Hill, Dallaglio, Back, Teague, Winterbottom."

Hill thinks Croft, who has won 13 caps, should be one of the first names on England manager Martin Johnson's team sheet.

"From an England point of view, Croft has had a very good season and proved on the Lions tour what a valuable asset he is.

"He provides something a bit different. England need to utilise his strengths above and beyond other players."

Croft is concentrating on conditioning work this week and will miss the games against Montpelier tomorrow and Castres on Saturday.