It has been some season for ex-St John’s School pupil George Kruis and it has not escaped the attention of his Saracens team-mates.

The former pupil at the Leatherhead school played an integral part in the Sarries’ double winning season, sealed when Saturday’s 28-20 win over Exeter clinched the Premiership title.

It came on the back of a 21-9 win over Racing 92 last month to win the European Champions Cup.

Second row Kruis, a former Surrey U18s skipper, has made more than 100 appearances for Saracens since joining after a trial in 2008.

There is more to come on the international scene for the 26-year-old, and it does not surprise team-mate Jamie George one bit.

George, himself an England regular, believes the hardworking Kruis is one of the players of the season.

He said: “His progression has been tremendous. He works so hard off the field and in training. He pretty much runs our lineout now. He has come on such a long way in regards to that.

“For such a big man to work so hard on the field that’s the impressive thing for me. Looking at his contributions in the game it’s incredible.

“It’s also the work he does off the ball, the amount of pressure he puts on opposition kickers and all the line out work he puts in.

“I thought our line out was tremendous against Exeter, and he’s a big part in that.”

Towering 6ft 6in, hard-hitting Kruis will join George in England’s three-test series against Australia, which begins at Suncorp stadium, Brisbane on June 11.

And George reckons the former Leatherhead schoolkid will be a key player from the moment the first ball is kicked down under.

“He’s an England regular at the minute and the sort of bloke he is, he’s just going to keep developing and progressing without end,” George added.

“The sky is the limit. He’s a fantastic player.”