It has been 16 months since Rees’ last appearance for England and Hanks insists the Wasps’ flanker will force his way back into Martin Johnson’s international plans in a hurry.

"He was massive for us," said Hanks.

"Top-class players can do that and come back and make an impact, and he will just get better and better.

"For Wasps supporters, for England supporters, for rugby people in general it was great to see Tom out there. It was definitely a massive lift to our guys.

"It would have been quite easy to have given him an A League game or brought him off the bench or not given him back the captaincy, but Tom Rees is important to us and he is our leader.

"It was important he went straight back out and started for us, and I can't speak highly enough of him."