British and Irish Lions

Lancaster blooded a number of youngsters during England's recent RBS 6 Nations campaign in which they recorded four wins in five games and finished an unexpected second in the table.

And having now been appointed head coach on a permanent basis following his interim standing in the 6 Nations, Lancaster is busy preparing for a three-Test series with the Springboks and two mid-week matches against the South African Barbarians.

Lancaster will name a 42-man squad for the tour tomorrow and 2001 and 2005 Lions star Robinson is predicting a heavy contingent of fresh faces.

"I think Stuart will pick a lot of younger guys as that was a big part of why he was so successful in the 6 Nations," Robinson told the Manchester Evening News.

"If we are to be looking forward to the 2015 World Cup we need to be looking at these youngsters now.

"It's going to be tough out there what with three Tests but they are taking 40 plus players and we'll be able to see what these young guys can do."

One of the youngsters Robinson hopes Lancaster will give a first international chance to is Sale full back Rob Miller.

The former Newcastle fly-half has switched to the No15 shirt this year and was one of the Sharks' standout performers as they clinched Heineken Cup qualification for next season.

Miller finished the campaign as the Aviva Premiership's leading try scorer and Robinson has been impressed with the way in which the 22-year-old has filled his own illustrious shoes with the Sharks.

"In my opinion, Rob is ready for that next step up. Just being around guys at international level will help bring him on immensely and just put that carrot out in front of him a bit more," added Robinson, who scored five tries on his Lions debut 11 years ago.

"Rob has had a really strong season at full-back. He finished the season as the Premiership's top try scorer, which is a huge credit to him, and I'm sure if he could go that one step further it would only do him the world of good.

"I was on the coaching staff at Sale when Kingsley Jones signed him as a fly-half from Newcastle about two years ago. Kingsley asked me to have a look at Rob and from the video clips it was obvious he was very talented and we felt we could do a lot with him.

"The great thing is that Rob has got a lot more to go at. He's not the finished article yet but we are seeing a young lad playing with confidence. Because he has played 10, he's a good passer of the ball as well as being a good kicker and he's got good feet and pace to burn.

"And the big thing for me is that Rob plays with a smile on his face. You can tell someone is enjoying their rugby when they have smile on their face whether they are scoring tries or making chances.

"Hopefully he can be the next great full-back at Sale and the good thing is he's only a young lad.

"We've seen some great stuff this season but if he keeps progressing at this rate he's going to keep going further and further."

England's fixtures in South Africa

Saturday, June 9: South Africa v England (King's Park, Durban, 4pm BST)

Wednesday, June 13: SA Barbarians South v England (GWK Park, Kimberley, 1.30pm BST)

Saturday, June 16: South Africa v England (Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg, 4pm BST)

Tuesday, June 19: SA Barbarians North v England (Profert Olen Park, Potchefstroom, 6.10pm BST)

Saturday, June 23: South Africa v England (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth 4pm BST)

Qantas Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans says Quade Cooper could still line up against the Lions despite missing out on his 25-man squad this morning.

The Waratahs upset the odds by beating Super Rugby leaders the Brumbies 28-22, but the game came at a huge cost to Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.