With Harlequins veterans Chris Robshaw, Mike Brown and Danny Care preparing for England’s tour to Argentina this summer, Red Rose legend Jason Robinson insists the trip will be critical as thoughts turn towards the next Rugby World Cup.

Head coach Eddie Jones has opted for a mixture of youth and experience in his squad that will travel to the southern hemisphere next week, with a whopping 18 uncapped players in the mix.

One of those is Quins youngster Joe Marchant, who has impressed in the centres for John Kingston’s side this term and was nominated for the Land Rover Discovery of the Season award, as well as prop Will Collier.

And while the tour may have not seemed so crucial before the 2019 World Cup draw earlier this month, Robinson believes it is now a vital chance for England to get a look at their opponents two year’s out from rugby’s biggest stage.

“The draw added a lot of significance to these matches,” said Land Rover ambassador, Robinson, who was speaking at this season’s Premiership Rugby Final where he met hundreds of youngsters from the national grassroots rugby initiative, the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup.

“Now, with the World Cup in mind, a lot more thought will go into this tour and with the Lions going at the same time it means a lot of players have a great opportunity.

“They can go out and prove to Eddie Jones that they are capable of featuring for England, and that they are a genuine option for him when everyone is back.

“You’ll have your senior players there in the like of Dylan Hartley, Mike Brown and Danny Care, but then we’ve also got guys like Ellis Genge, Nathan Earle, Joe Cokanasiga, and Sam Underhill too.”

Land Rover ambassador Robinson was speaking at this season’s Premiership Rugby Final where he met hundreds of youngsters from the national grassroots rugby initiative, the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup.

Many believe Robshaw, Brown and Care – all 30 or above – might now struggle to stay in the England reckoning for the remainder of the World Cup cycle, despite their contributions to back-to-back Six Nations triumphs.

And with so many players away on Lions duty, Robinson is adamant that for the likes of Marchant and Collier, now is the time to seize their chance.

He added: “These young, uncapped guys will want to go out there, impress and have big games. It’s an opportunity they must seize.

“It’s exciting times for England given the strength in depth that is there, and we already know that if a player is in form then Eddie Jones will give them the opportunity.”

Jason Robinson is a Land Rover ambassador. Land Rover is Official Vehicle Partner of Premiership Rugby and has a heritage in supporting rugby at all levels; from grassroots to elite. Follow @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal