After a tight first half, Leicester stormed to victory with versatile flanker Tom Croft capping another impressive display with two tries.

England head coach Brian Ashton will name his squad for the RBS 6 Nations Championship on Wednesday and both Varndell and Croft could feature heavily in the selection discussions.

Varndell won three caps under Andy Robinson but was exposed on the 2006 summer tour to Australia and suffered a bad slump in form. Leicester even shipped him out on loan to Bedford at one stage last season.

Competition for wingers in the England squad is fierce, with Varndell up against the likes of David Strettle, Paul Sackey, Josh Lewsey and Mark Cueto.

But Loffreda is convinced Varndell is mentally tougher than he was - and if that keeps improving he sees no reason why the 22-year-old cannot break back into the England fold.

“Tom was very good. He was man of the match today and he has everything he needs to be a top player in his position,” said Loffreda.

“He is really working very hard to build his consistency and his concentration and he is getting better and better. That is what we are focusing on giving him at the club.

“Concentration in the international arena is the main thing. You can have the talent but if you are not focused in practice and in the preparation you will not perform well.

“Croft is very good. He has got better and better. He is really good.

“Both Toms have the qualities and the skills. If they get the concentration right they can be part of the England team, of course.”

Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards added: “I think he is a really good player - he has everything.

“He might lack a little experience, but you could throw him into the England team and I don’t think it would hurt the England team at all.”