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As English rugby basks in wholly unexpected glory and self-congratulation, they have also turned their attentions, rather optimistically, to what might happen in four years' time.
Rugby writers have gazed into their crystal balls and published possible teamlists for the next World Cup in New Zealand. One name
conspicuous by its absence - but one many believe could well be there - is that of a guy from Tonga.
Standing 188cm and 112kg, Lesley Vainikolo is a hulk and just what many in England think they need on the wing to replace another league convert, Jason Robinson - but with raw power and dynamism.
The 27-year-old former Kiwis winger switched to rugby union mid-year and his impact was immediate. In his first outing for Gloucester, he scored five tries in a 49-24 defeat of newly promoted Leeds.
While many sat up and took notice, opponents were left wondering what had run over them. Vainikolo scored two tries that day after barrelling over defenders. By the end of the match, they were so wary of the big wing it created openings for others.
Said one English scribe: "[RFU director of elite rugby Rob] Andrew should be prepared to walk over broken glass, let alone down a front drive, to persuade the Kiwi-raised wing, who has just transferred his try-scoring Midas touch to Gloucester, to play for England in the coming Six Nations."
The assumption is that Vainikolo will play for England instead of Tonga, especially as the NZRU's rules mean he can't play for the All Blacks.
He was coy this week about his allegiance, saying he was "concentrating on playing well for Gloucester", but he's long held a desire to test himself in rugby union and at the highest level.
He has said he has ambitions to play for England, and because he is a British citizen and will have a British passport soon that could become a reality as early as the next Six Nations.
Vainikolo's try-scoring feats are unrivalled in any code. He scored 149 tries in 152 appearances for Bradford in the UK Super League and collected 14 tries in 12 tests for the Kiwis, not to mention the five he notched up in his first rugby union game.
"It was a good start," Vainikolo says. "It was just a case of being in the right place at the right time."
He was in the wrong place in his second game, tearing neck ligaments when a tackled ball situation went wrong.
"I took the ball in and got tackled, and one of my team-mates cleared the other guy out of the way but cleared me out as well and I landed on my head."
He missed Gloucester's next four matches but was due to take a place on the bench for this weekend's visit of Newcastle, his first appearance at home. He will come back into a side sitting atop the Premiership table after six rounds.
The layoff gave Vainikolo more time to study rugby union, on top of the full pre-season he had away from the public eye and the extra attention he paid to the World Cup.
"I've watched a lot of rugby lately and I watched a lot of the World Cup," he says. "I watched what the wingers do and where they stand because they are the best in the world and you have to learn from the best.
"During the game you don't really think about the differences [with league] but afterwards it can seem a bit crazy."
Gloucester coach Dean Ryan believed they had a superstar in the making when he signed Vainikolo to a three-year deal and he's even more convinced now.
"Everyone knows the skill-set he brings from rugby league, a strong and dynamic runner, and there's no reason from what I've seen that he can't be world class," Ryan says.
"Other teams will look to expose his knowledge of the game, and he still has a lot to learn, but the things he brings to the game far outweigh what he needs to learn.
"A lot of guys have made the transition and they are immediately in the spotlight, and it's a tough place to be in the public arena. But with his background he's used to it and is coping well."
There has certainly been more public interest in Gloucester open days and there was a buzz about his home debut.
Vainikolo seems to be taking it in his stride.
"I would have made the switch to rugby two years ago but I didn't feel it was the right time. It feels right now."
It might also feel right for England.
