Throughout many of his 197 Harlequins appearances, Collier sat behind Sinckler and, more recently, Wilco Louw – although there is no shame in being below either of these two world-class operators in the pecking order. 

Louw has been absent for most of this season, first on international duty with the Springboks and then through injury. This run of starts has allowed Collier to show off the improvements he has made to his game. Harlequins have hardly missed Louw which is a testament to Collier’s consistency and level of performance.

The criticism of Collier has always been that he does not do enough around the park. He never has been, and never will be, the type of prop that barrels defenders out the way and busts holes in defences. But England do not need him to do that. 

Within their front-row ranks they have Genge, Sinckler, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jamie George and Mako Vunipola who can all fulfil that role. Uncompromising scrummagers are less abundant, with Joe Marler the only prop in the current squad that is elite. 

It should also be noted that although Collier is not particularly explosive in attack or defence, he is a willing and able distributor as is required by Harlequins’ all-court game. His memorable show-and-go try against Bristol is an example of his confidence with ball in hand.