Junior world champions who learned their trade at Cranbrook Rugby Club have been backed to make the senior England squad.

Nathan Earle and Harry Sloan were in the England under-20 side who retained the Junior World Championship with a 21-20 win over South Africa at Eden Park in New Zealand.

Saracens wing Earle scored six tries during the tournament, including one in the final, and was nominated for the International Rugby Board junior player-of-the-year.

Harlequins centre Sloan scored in the semi-final victory over Ireland and was part of last year’s winning side.

The pair came through the mini and junior ranks at Cranbrook and, having broken into the first teams at Sarries and Quins, their former coach Peter Jovanovic believes it isn’t too late to make the senior squad for next year’s World Cup in England.

Mr Jovanovic, now Cranbrook chairman, said: “If you look at players from last year’s under-20s, Jack Nowell is a starter for the senior team. It depends on the depth of the squad, but I can’t see any reason why they couldn’t push for the 2015 World Cup, which would be incredible.”

Cranbrook members gathered in the clubhouse to watch Earle and Sloan in action as England beat South Africa last Friday.

Mr Jovanovic added: “I’ve been chairman for three years now and watching the tournament over three weeks was fantastic. To see them projected nationally fills us with tremendous pride, knowing we played at least a small part in their past."