England's five position posers – who Eddie Jones may select for Six Nations opener against Scotland

England’s players will gather in Brighton on Monday for the start of a training camp with a number of positions up for grabs. The absence of Manu Tuilagi, Sam Underhill and now Owen Farrell will force England head coach Eddie Jones to change his winning formula from the autumn internationals. Given Jones is known for paying greater heed to training performances than club form the training week in Brighton will go a long way to deciding England’s squad for their opening Six Nations match away to Scotland on February 5.

Centre

The loss of Farrell and Tuilagi makes Marcus Smith and Henry Slade close to nailed on selections. Given that Jones said this week that Smith needs a 12 “to run the game for him” then it would make sense for Slade to start at inside centre. Outside him, the Harlequins pair of Joe Marchant and the uncapped Luke Northmore provide a complimentary mix of pace and power. After Tuilagi was injured against South Africa, it was the Slade and Marchant combination that combined so effectively for Raffi Quirke’s try. Alternatively if Jones wanted to replicate the Harlequins blueprint then Mark Atkinson provides the closest alternative to Andre Esterhuizen at inside centre. Jones is due to announce a further call up on Monday which could further change the picture.

No 8

It is always dangerous to attempt to second guess Jones when it comes to selection. That being said, it would make sense for Tom Curry to move to his natural home at openside where England do not have an abundance of alternative options. This would leave a straight shootout between Alex Dombrandt and Sam Simmonds for the No 8 shirt. Dombrandt has been in ridiculous form since November and scored a hat-trick in Harlequins victory against Castres on Friday night. “I said it right off the bat – he’s a special player and creates moment,” Tabai Matson, Quins senior coach, said. “There are very few in his position who can do that. I think he’d make a difference at the next level.” Simmonds has not quite hit those heights this season but has grown as an individual since the Lions tour. Lewis Ludlam and Alfie Barbeary have less experience at the base of the scrum but are equally dynamic options. The temptation to unleash Barbeary off the bench will be nagging away at Jones.

Wing

Freddie Steward nailed down the full back shirt in the autumn internationals with his imperious performances under the high ball. Despite his indifferent club form, Jonny May has enough credit in the bank with Jones to also be considered a certain selection. Who fills the other wing slot will depend largely on the style of rugby Jones wishes to play. Max Malins, who impressed in both attack and defence in the autumn, offers an extra playmaker and full back in the back field. Jack Nowell is a long-time Jones favourite for his work-rate and tackle-breaking abilities. Meanwhile, the uncapped Ollie Hassell-Collins offers perhaps the most intriguing option. With no Manu Tuilagi in the midfield, his power and size could become an invaluable asset for England’s attacking plays.

Hooker

With utmost respect to Jamie Blamire, the battle for the starting shirt is likely to be a straight shootout between Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie. George was an original victim of Eddie Jones’ autumn purge but an injury to Cowan-Dickie and a lack of experienced alternatives forced the Saracens hooker’s recall. Jones would have been delighted with how George responded to his recall in the autumn and is now firmly back in his good graces. Fit-again, Cowan-Dickie was supposed to be a part of Jones’ new-look leadership group and seems to have had the bit between his teeth in recent weeks. George offers security at the set piece while Cowan-Dickie is more of a dynamic presence as a ball-carrier.

Scrum-half

Unless Jones undergoes a Damascene conversion, Ben Youngs has the England No 9 shirt under lock and key through the rest of this Championship. The question is who out of Harry Randall and Raffi Quirke will be Youngs’ deputy and presumed heir apparent. After Randall suffered a paddle-boarding related injury in the autumn, Quirke seized his chance and finished a sensational try in the 27-26 victory against South Africa. Randall has bounced back into form with Bristol Bears while Quirke returns from injury for Sale Sharks on Sunday. Both are high-tempo scrum halves with an eye for a break. This could well be a coin-flip decision.