Dan Ward-Smith has been tipped for England honours © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Joe Simpson | Dan Ward-Smith

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Wasps coaches Tony Hanks and Shaun Edwards have backed Dan Ward-Smith and Joe Simpson for England honours on this summer's tour to Australia and New Zealand.

Ward-Smith has been a revelation for Wasps during a disappointing season in which they finished fifth, alternating between No.8 and the second-row, while scrum-half Simpson, despite having a serious shoulder injury to contend with, has also been a shining light.

England manager Martin Johnson could do with Ward-Smith's ball-carrying ability in the likely absence of Steve Borthwick, and Hanks has also tipped the New Zealand-born forward as a possible successor to Simon Shaw.

"As Shaun has said previously he is the new prototype second row," he said. "That number four jersey has been dominated by a certain Simon Shaw for a long time but Dan has been a revelation in that position. He has a pretty good try-scoring record there too.

"It says a lot when opposition coaches come up to you after a game and they say 'Jeez, that Dan-Ward Smith can play'. He rolls his sleeves up, he doesn't hang around out wide and he carries and carries and gets through a ton of work.

"He trains very hard. We are kicking him out of the gym and sending him home. He has been a great addition. I think he has got to be in with a great shout of making that tour and making a real impression. The decision over what jersey they give him will be the interesting one."

Ward-Smith, 32, has been waiting some time for recognition at Test level, with a number of serious injuries curtailing his progress while at Bristol.

"I was involved in training with the squad during this year's Six Nations, so I may get a chance this summer," he said. "I have tried as hard as I can to put my hands up so it's up to the coaches. I have done as much as I can and I will just sit back and see that happens.

"I just enjoy being in the rugby field no matter what number I have on my back. I have enjoyed playing second row, there is a lot of satisfaction to be taken from a good scrum or getting a lot of tackles in. I can still cover the ground, make tackles and get some carries in. I am still making a contribution to the team."

Edwards was full of praise for Simpson, who saw any hopes of a call-up during the Six Nations ended by a dislocated shoulder suffered against Harlequins in December.

"I coach Wales, so I hope they don't [select him]," he said. "You should try catching him. His form has shown great promise, I am sure the England coaches have got their eyes on him because he is a real talent and one to nurture to become, hopefully, a world-class scrum-half one day."