MARCUS RASHFORD wasn’t even born when England achieved their best-ever performance at a European Championships by reaching the semi-finals of Euro 96.

But when Roy Hodgson’s side attempt to improve on that performance in France next month, he could find himself at the heart of the action.

If last night’s Stadium of Light friendly was a final opportunity for England’s understudies to audition for a leading part, Rashford was the player who did most to warrant a central role.

Hodgson has until 11pm on Tuesday to submit his 23-man squad to UEFA, and the England boss intends to leave his final decision until as late as possible with Daniel Sturridge battling against the calf injury that meant he was unable to even feature on the bench against Australia. That could open the door for Rashford, and if it was ajar at kick-off, it was positively swinging from its hinges three minutes in.

That was how long it took the 18-year-old to open his international account and become England’s youngest ever debutant scorer, and even if Sturridge recovers to make the squad, there is now a compelling argument for also taking Rashford to provide additional cover.

Wayne Rooney gave the evening a ‘master and apprentice’ feel as he came off the bench to double England’s lead, with Eric Dier’s late own goal depriving the hosts of a clean sheet, but this was undoubtedly Rashford’s night. Fearless and in form, the teenager could be the surprise package that every major tournament seems to produce.

Last night’s start represented his first international involvement of any description at a level above the Under-20s – he has completely bypassed the Under-21 set-up – and it is only three months ago today that the 18-year-old was making his Premier League debut against Arsenal.

His rise since then has been truly meteoric, and last night’s outing evoked inevitable memories of Rooney’s dramatic emergence onto the international scene. Rooney made his England debut as a substitute against Australia, with his full debut coming in a 2-0 win over Turkey at the Stadium of Light.

A year or so after that game, he was tearing up Euro 2004, but even Rooney was unable to make the kind of instant impact that saw Rashford emulate Harry Kane by scoring within the opening three minutes of his international debut.

There was an element of luck about the way the ball fell into his path in the area, with Raheem Sterling’s pass infield looping off Australia defender Bradley Smith, but there was nothing fortuitous about the unerring finish that followed.

Without breaking stride, Rashford announced his arrival onto the international scene with a ferocious first-time volley that flew past goalkeeper Matthew Ryan. So much for being overawed by the big occasion.

What followed was not a flawless performance – the youngster should have doubled England’s lead in the 15th minute, only to make a complete hash of trying to get the ball out of his feet after Sterling sent him galloping clear – but it was a pretty powerful endorsement of his ability to cope with the step up in class.

Always alert and energetic in the final third, he was also willing to pull into a wide-left position in order to allow Sterling to move infield. One first-half pass that sent Adam Lallana through for a shot that was saved was especially sumptuous, and even at this early stage of his development, it is clear Rashford is more than simply a one-dimensional centre-forward.

His pace will give England another string to their attacking bow, even if he is only used from the substitutes’ bench, but as ever with the national team, the brightness of what is happening at one end always has to be counter-balanced against the nerves and hesitancy that are on display at the other.

John Stones was once regarded as every bit as exciting a prospect as Rashford, but the Everton defender has lost his way markedly in the last 12 months and now has to be viewed as an accident waiting to happen.

Australia’s attack featured players from QPR, Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City, but the visitors still had their moments in the England box, and the majority came thanks to an error from Stones - with a second-half mix-up with Chris Smalling especially ridiculous - or the cheap concession of possession in midfield.

All too often, England’s players surrendered the ball cheaply, and with Jack Wilshere proving once again that he is not a natural defensive midfielder, the importance of Dier, whose late own goal came after he was introduced as a substitute centre-half, was magnified. Dier’s presence as a defensive shield will be vital next month, but even with the Spurs player in the side, there has to be fears about England’s ability to cope with opponents who pass the ball crisply.

In terms of next week’s squad selection, however, defence is not an issue. Hodgson only picked seven defenders in his initial squad, so they will all be going to France.

Things are more complicated in midfield, so what of the players vying for a berth in that position? Danny Drinkwater has always felt like one of the likeliest players to be cut next week, but Fabian Delph’s injury and almost certain non-selection could yet play into his hands. The Leicester player has looked neat and tidy on both of his international appearances, but in a congested area in terms of options, that might not be enough.

Hodgson clearly likes Sterling, and the winger was one of just three players to retain their places from the team that beat Turkey last weekend. He flattered to deceive on occasion, although in his defence, he provided the key assist for both of England’s goals. You suspect Hodgson is keen to start him against Russia.

His pass to set up Rooney in the early stages of the second half was a simple one, but he executed it expertly as England tore Australia apart on the counter-attack.

Rooney was completely unmarked as he received the ball, but there was still plenty to admire in the way he blasted home from the edge of the area with a minimum of fuss. Whisper it on Wearside, but the execution was almost Shearer-esque.

Fraser Forster made his first save with 19 minutes left, denying Robbie Kruse with his legs, but the Newcastle academy product was powerless to prevent Australia scoring five minutes later.

Milos Degenek crossed from the right, and even though he was hardly under any pressure, Dier directed a diving header into his own net.