Stuart Lancaster will learn a great deal in South Africa, according to Lawrence Dallaglio © PA Photos

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Players/Officials: Lawrence Dallaglio | Stuart Lancaster

Teams: England

Lawrence Dallaglio believes that Stuart Lancaster will be made to prove his worth as England head coach on their June tour to South Africa.

Dallaglio - a Rugby World Cup-winner in 2003 - has termed the three Test series "the real barometer" of England's progress following positive strides during the Six Nations.

Lancaster saw off the challenge of Nick Mallett to be named head coach on a full-time basis and Dallaglio believes that he has earned the right to continue his groundwork in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

"He certainly deserves the opportunity to continue in that role, there's no doubt about it," Dallaglio said. "His record from the Six Nations shows how he has turned England's fortunes round in a very short space of time.

"Four out of five victories in the Six Nations against much-fancied opposition is a good return. The important thing is that no-one in the England set-up, including Stuart, will get carried away with that.

"Everyone in England knows the real test and real barometer for England will be the summer. South Africa is very tough and one of the hardest places to play rugby. I think when they come away from there they will know what they need to do both on a player perspective in terms of the squad but also a coaching perspective."

Dallaglio is confident Lancaster has what it takes to succeed as a national coach despite not having a great deal of experience on the world stage.

"Coaching at the highest level is not normally down to one person, it's down to a number of factors," Dallaglio said. "Stuart and his team will know whether they need to add to that coaching staff at the end of the tour or if they've got enough themselves to do the job.

"They will work that out for themselves when England travel and get the results for themselves in South Africa."