ENGLAND coach Jim Mallinder is convinced Southampton pair Anthony Allen and Mike Brown are in line for international promotion to Andy Robinson's squad defending the World Cup in France in just over 12 months time.

A 32-8 win over Ireland capped a memorable season for England, who have now won nine of their ten games this season, as Mallinder's men secured fifth spot at the Under-21 World Championships in France.

In recent years the likes of 2003 World Cup winners Jason Leonard, Matt Dawson, Martin Johnson, Richard Hill, Ben Kay and Josh Lewsey have all progressed through the England junior ranks.

And Mallinder has tipped Harlequin Brown and Gloucester's Allen, pictured who grabbed a try against the Irish to make his mark on the international stage this autumn.

"When Andy Robinson announces his 50-man World Cup training squad next month, I would say a good handful of these players stand a chance of pushing for a place," said Mallinder.

"The under-21s is a fantastic level to develop as a player and I like what I've seen in France for the last three weeks. "

Mallinder's men secured only their second ever Grand Slam title earlier this year and only missed out to New Zealand on a semi-final place on points difference at this World Championships.

And England achieved all this without Mathew Tait and Tom Varndell, who although still eligible for the Under-21s, were promoted to the senior team in Australia.