Smith will this morning name his 24-man World Cup squad and the uncapped Leeds winger is a strong contender for selection after his Harry Sunderland Trophy-winning performance as man of the match in the Rhinos' 24-16 defeat of St Helens at Old Trafford.

The 22-year-old scored one try, set up another and delivered a faultless display in defence from full-back to collect his second grand final winner's ring and catch the eye of the watching Robinson, scorer of the only try in England's 2003 rugby union World Cup final victory over Australia.

Robinson was also as effective at full-back as he was on the wing and the Hunslet-born former Wigan and Great Britain star saw something of himself in Smith's contribution to the Rhinos' success.

"One thing you have to be to play full-back is safe because when you play on the big stage in grand finals and Test matches you are going to get tested," said Robinson, who now acts as a sporting ambassador for England sponsors Gillette.

"When they make a break you have to be there, when they chip through you have to be spot on positionally and sometimes you have to be able to put your head where it hurts.

"I think Lee Smith showed he can do all that on Saturday. His timing was perfect because this England squad needs to be picked on form.

"You do need experience, but you also need players who are confident and doing the business. He knows where the goalline is and he's safe as houses as well.

"I think he's done enough to warrant selection and I'd be surprised if Tony doesn't pick him."

Robinson was speaking at a pre-World Cup function at the Gillette Rugby League Heritage Centre within Huddersfield's George Hotel where he was joined by England prop Adrian Morley, who is certain to be one of the 24 players who will board the plane to Australia next Monday.

Morley is still troubled by a stomach muscle injury sustained in Warrington's defeat by Huddersfield a month ago and will sit out the Gillette international against Wales at Doncaster on Friday as a precautionary measure.

Robinson has spoken to England coach Tony Smith on a number of occasions in recent months when the union team's preparations for the World Cup five years ago featured prominently in conversation, but has not yet had the opportunity to relate his experiences to the players, a situation he is keen to address.

"Having played Australia so many times in Test matches and been part of a World Cup-winning team you pick up so many things," said Robinson. "I'm hoping that between now and them leaving next week I will get the chance to speak to them."

While the rugby league team will head for Australia in as confident a mood as their rugby union counterparts did in 2003, the contrast between the preparation time coaches afforded Tony Smith and Clive Woodward could not be more stark.

Smith has yet to hold a single training session with his entire squad, despite their World Cup opening fixture being less than three weeks away, while Woodward had open access to the country's best players for six months before the union World Cup.

"I think England's chances are good, but they haven't got a lot of time before they play their first match so they have to bring it together really quickly. Tony has a big job on," said Robinson. "He has to get them singing from the same song sheet and ready in just a couple of weeks.

"It's going to be tough, but I see no reason why it can't be done."

England kick off the World Cup with a match against Papua New Guinea in the North Queensland town of Townsville on Saturday, October 25 before facing Australia in Melbourne eight days later and New Zealand in Newcastle on November 8.