Wilkinson’s remarkable dedication to training and preparation has opened Smith’s eyes to what is required to be a success on the international stage.

“For me that is the biggest learning I get from him in terms of mental preparation, how to deal with things that don’t always go your way, how to deal with things that go your way and just how to live – how to be a good person,” said Smith.

“I do try and aim beyond the posts, pick a target but I don’t have an imaginary woman or Coke can.”

Those who are concerned, including England head coach Eddie Jones, about whether off-field distractions since Smith burst onto the Test area should be reassured that Smith appears to share a similar work ethic and devotion that was the stand-out feature of Wilkinson’s career.

At the age of 15, Smith wrote down goals that he wanted to achieve in his career, all of which he has achieved in the last 12 months, having won the Premiership with Harlequins and made debuts for England and the Lions.

The note-taking and goal-setting has continued, but he admits that a “blunt conversation” with Jones, which the England head coach reveals in his new book, challenged Smith to answer three questions which were key to fulfilling his potential, and had a significant impact.   

“I have enjoyed every single bit of interaction I have had with Eddie over the last few years and his feedback is so important for me,” Smith added. “For me it made me focus on what was important at the time and it helped me massively, I am really, really grateful for that advice.

“It was at a point in my career when I personally didn’t feel I was performing to the best of my ability for whatever reason. For me a lot of it was from within and I took a long hard look at myself, all parts of my game, all parts of my preparation and for me it wasn’t up to scratch. I tried to fix it. Credit has to go to the people around me because they put their arm around me and guided me through those tough periods. Luckily now I feel I am in a good place mentally, a good place physically.”

He benefited from a break after the autumn campaign and, having returned to action for Harlequins in the narrow defeat at Leicester Tigers last Sunday, is hoping to return to winning ways at Castres on Sunday in the opening round of the Heineken Champions Cup.