Harlequins academy prop Joe Marler has been earmarked for senior international honours by England U18s coach Alex Sanderson.

The 17-year-old Richmond College student will start for his country on Sunday against Wales U18 in the Six Nations Festival.

He featured in last summer's U18 tour of Australia as a 16-year-old and impressed enough to retain his place in the squad this year, persuading Quins to offer him a full-time contract for next season.

Marler is on the same development path as England and Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani, but Sanderson has warned the youngster there is work to do if he wants to scale the peaks of the game.

"It is difficult to pick players out who have the physical requisites and skills set to make it at full international level," he told the RFU's Gillette Rugby Podcast.

"Whether they are good enough at this level doesn't mean to say they will be good enough ten years down the line.

"Joe has come on strongly this year after he played a year ahead of age group.

"He is one of four or five players who look the part and who play - in terms of maturity - well above their age.

"I'd be surprised if they don't make it to full international honours."