MAX Crumpton believes Jackson Wray deserves an England call-up after winning the Champions Cup with Saracens for a second consecutive season.

Wray was not included in Eddie Jones’ squad for the trip to Argentina, or the touring British and Irish Lions side, despite being an integral part of the Saracens team that retained the European crown last season.

The Benfleet-raised man, 26, impressed throughout the season and his accomplished performances did not go unnoticed as he was included in BT Sport’s Team of the Year.

And the Hadleigh-born Crumpton, who suffered relegation from the Aviva Premiership with Bristol last term, thinks that Wray’s first England call-up must be imminent.

Crumpton, 23, said: “I think that Jackson has had a great season.

“He is an outstanding player and some players get the luck and others don’t, unfortunately.

“I don’t think it will be long until he is in the England squad.

“His performances for Saracens are definitely deserving of a call-up.”

Crumpton and Wray attended King John School, in Thundersley.

And the rugby duo linked up once again when Crumpton enjoyed a spell with Saracens earlier in his career.

Crumpton, who also boasts Harlequins among his former clubs before joining Bristol, believes the flanker will continue to impress at club level and leave Jones with no choice but to introduce Wray to the England set-up.

“Being a starter at Saracens in itself is a great achievement,” added Crumpton, who scored four tries in a disappointing campaign for Bristol.

“He has been fantastic for Saracens for a few years now and has been tipped for an England call-up for a while.

“I’m sure that Jackson will be in the England team very soon.”

Crumpton and Wray were students at King John School at the same time.

Both of the future rugby stars were influenced by PE teacher Mark Sexton and although Wray was three year groups above Crumpton, the Bristol man was already fully aware of the talent Wray possessed.

Crumpton confirmed: “Jackson and I were at Saracens together, but we were also at King John School at the same time as well.

“I know him really well now and when we were at school, you could always tell that he was a level above everyone else on the pitch.

“He was a few year groups above me, but he was always the one I needed to follow in the footsteps of while I was at school.”