Smith, who has arrived back in his home country after three seasons coaching the Northampton Saints, warned against writing off the world champions' chances in the Tests at Dunedin and Auckland.

Even without a host of World Cup winners, Smith insists there is still a lot of talent in the England squad.

"There is a lot of talk about retirements from the World Cup but I think the squad they are bringing over is a form squad," Smith said.

"A lot of the players who won the Heineken Cup with Wasps will be out here and they are the form players in England.

"I have a huge respect for them and knowing Clive Woodward he will want to prove that there is a depth in their game and that the world champions can win without some of the icons who won the World Cup for them.

"There is a toughness about [the players in England] and a resilience that comes from the number of games they play, the style that they play and the conditions that they play in and that means they are tough."