The first touchpoint of the season for England has arrived and, as ever, there is little time to waste. A summer of surprise upheaval among the backroom staff has given more weight to Tests against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan.

Here are five areas to address at the three-day camp.

Decide whether to double down on the blitz…

This get-together marks the first camp for which former defence coach Felix Jones will be working his notice period in a remote capacity, having been passed the rather vague brief of “tactical analysis” upon the appointment of Joe El-Abd as his successor.

Now, there is history to suggest that Jones could remain pretty useful from his laptop in Dublin. Chasing the Sun 2, the fantastic documentary charting South Africa’s 2023 World Cup campaign, depicted the Irishman leading a coaches’ meeting before the quarter-final against France. Jones had identified some of Les Bleus’ jackalling habits after tumbling down “a rabbit hole on YouTube” and studying behind-the-scenes content on in-house media channels. Steve Borthwick may still tap into such diligence.

El-Abd, meanwhile, takes charge of defence. Jones, who had been visiting Premiership clubs to work on players’ individual development plans, is sure to have conducted a handover. And, after conceding just 40 points across two Tests against New Zealand, England will surely persist with the ultra-aggressive blitz appropriated by Jones from the Springboks. Players enjoy its intensity and see the system as a way to engage supporters.

…and pick a new leader

Henry Slade has been listed in a ‘rehabilitation’ section of the squad, suggesting that he is reasonably close to a return to full fitness following shoulder surgery. Even if he fails to make the opening fixture against New Zealand on Nov 2, his presence at this camp can aid others. Exeter Chiefs are the most overt blitzers in the Premiership, which has made Slade particularly influential for England in 2024.

Interestingly, Saracens have endeavoured to increase their line speed this season in a bid to smother opponents. Theoretically, this should make it easier for Alex Lozowski to return to the fold some six years after his last cap. Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman are other candidates for the all-important outside centre role. Both can be proactive on the press and will be valued lieutenants for El-Abd.

Figure out a scrum-half pecking order

Northampton are yet to determine a return date for Alex Mitchell following a mysterious neck issue, which does not bode well for his autumn prospects. In turn, that presents Borthwick with a headache. Mitchell may have missed out on the initial World Cup squad last year, but he was quickly reinstated upon Jack van Poortvliet’s ankle injury and rapidly rose to first choice. While kicking improvements helped, Mitchell has been encouraged to zip between rucks and trust his instincts.

The direction that Borthwick adopts at scrum-half for these November internationals will reflect his overall strategy. Harry Randall is the zippy running threat and Ben Spencer offers kicking craft. Neither has translated consistent club excellence to the top level yet. They might with time and opportunities. Ben Earl is a great example of how a player can bloom with backing.

Van Poortvliet, at his best, is a rounded scrum-half; tough in defence and unfussy with the ball. If Spencer was guaranteed to play like he did in last season’s Premiership final, when he was magnificent, there would be no debate. As it stands, the spot feels up for grabs. There was a reason Mitchell was kept on the pitch for all 80 minutes at Eden Park in July. Below the stricken Saint, England’s pecking order is uncertain.

Solidify the scrum

England missed a gilt-edged opportunity in New Zealand. That much felt palpable at the time and has been reinforced over the ensuing months as the All Blacks have exhibited vulnerabilities during the Rugby Championship. And one area that particularly hurt England, causing them to surrender impetus during the last half-hour of each Test, was scrummaging.

Borthwick has resisted any urge to fast-track Asher Opoku-Fordjour, the most promising of the Under-20 world champions. Instead, he has assembled a loosehead trio of Fin Baxter, Ellis Genge and Joe Marler to go with Dan Cole, Will Stuart and Trevor Davison at tighthead. The inclusion of Luke Cowan-Dickie at hooker, alongside Jamie George and Theo Dan with both Curtis Langdon and Gabriel Oghre excluded, hints at prioritising the set-piece. Cowan-Dickie is renowned as a tough scrummager.

Ollie Chessum’s return is another boost, because he was missed on the recent tour. Borthwick will be keen to pick him, Maro Itoje and George Martin together in as many teams as possible. England must be assured of set-piece solidity for 80 minutes. Anything less allows opponents a way in, which the good ones take.

Focus on carrying and ball security

Reading too much into training camps is fraught with danger, because players are sometimes called up just to check in or build experience. Tom Willis is a name that catches the eye among this 36-man group, which will be whittled down when a final squad is named later this month.

The current campaign, his second as a Saracen, seems like a pivotal season for the 25-year-old. At club level, Billy Vunipola has left the coast clear. England could benefit from a bopping gain-line presence as well, and Alex Dombrandt’s absence has opened a door.

Two more areas that stunted Borthwick’s charges in July were carrying and ball security. New Zealand were allowed to make breakdowns messy. Genge gives the pack another hole-puncher and Chandler Cunningham-South can be a handful. Tom Pearson and Ethan Roots are burlier than Will Evans and Guy Pepper, which will partly explain those selections.

In lieu of an imposing centre, Willis is the sort of No 8 who softens up defences and muscles away from awkward areas of the pitch – at restarts and from the base of scrums inside his own 22, for instance. The firepower of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Ollie Sleightholme and others counts for little without quick ball.

Mark McCall has been combining Willis and Earl in the same side by posting the latter at openside, which would be perfectly workable for England. As for other back-row possibilities, Greg Fisilau might be a couple of years and about 8kg shy of developing into a formidable international. He could be fast-tracked and thrive, of course. Either way, Borthwick evidently wants to keep close tabs on the Exeter Chiefs tyro.