The one player England's new regime must pick to kickstart post-Eddie Jones era

Eddie Jones’ player selection was one of the main sources of controversy during his seven-year reign. He would often select players for a brief time before casting them aside, ignore club form and rely on senior players that had proved they could perform at the highest level.

With Steve Borthwick set to take charge, players will have a clean slate and a chance to impress their new head coach.

Charlie Morgan

Dan Kelly

Still 21, Kelly was capped once against Canada in July 2021 and kicked on impressively from there. Though injured for the denouement of Leicester’s title-winning campaign, the former Ireland age-grade international demonstrated sharper distribution while continuing to progress with his tough carrying and resolute defence.

Kelly has only made a single appearance this season, returning to action for Tigers at Ashton Gate on Saturday evening, yet he immediately underlined his class. Borthwick was inevitably tight-lipped on his own England prospects, but saluted the inside centre as “terrific”. “One of the biggest strengths he has – and he’s got a lot of skills with his carrying and his defence – is his character,” Borthwick said. “He’s just an enormously positive, competitive character.” Natural number 12s have been a rarity for England. They can reshape their midfield around Kelly.

Ben Coles

Tom Pearson

Eddie Jones, aside from the game against New Zealand, insisted on picking three line-out jumpers this autumn by having a lock at six, with Sam Simmonds' breakdown energy the exception against the All Blacks. But it felt as though England were lacking a grafter in the Sam Underhill mould, someone to churn through tackles and hard yards so that Tom Curry could focus on the breakdown and Billy Vunipola, or whoever is at No 8 (Alex Dombrandt?) can be the gain-line breaker. Pearson would fit that mould.

He leads the Premiership's tackle count this season (63), offers physicality and in his last outing against Leicester was dynamic with ball in hand. Jones selected him in some training camps and then left him out of others. He's worth a look.

Charles Richardson

George Ford

With England’s misfiring midfield, Ford’s stock had already risen immeasurably throughout an autumn campaign - Eddie Jones’s last - in which the fly-half played no part.

Now, however, with Steve Borthwick set to take the England reins this week, Ford could once again see himself playing a leading role. It was Ford’s tactical nous, alongside Borthwick’s assiduousness and obsessive attention to detail, that spearheaded Leicester to that unlikely Premiership title last season, and the soon-to-be England head coach never held back from expressing just how vital Ford had been to that Tigers triumph.

The fly-half took a hands-on role in leading the attack - as he has done with his current club Sale - and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that we see similar in February. Could we even be on the verge of seeing the international game’s first bona fide player-coach? That would be quite something.

Kate Rowan

Orlando Bailey 

You could argue, given his tender years, Orlando Bailey was given a good amount of chances by Eddie Jones. Yet, despite playing against the Barbarians last summer, Bailey has been on the fringes. Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith may be ahead of him - and Steve Borthwick will be keen to bring his former Leicester charge George Ford into the fold - but England need depth to go far in a World Cup.

Smith is currently injured and there needs to be succession planning and also managing of Farrell’s workload. Bailey has shown a natural ability to lead a back line without fear and it is that mindset that could be key beyond his growing skills as a fly-half. He was a standout performer in Bath’s season from hell last year, showing mental grit and adaptability. Bailey is a World Cup bolter to keep an eye on.

Jake Goodwill

Ben Earl

Earl has been the standout English back-rower in the Premiership for a considerable period of time. His explosive carrying and breakdown snaffling make him the type of player that can change a game on his own. Although the Saracen would not make my starting back row for the Six Nations - which would be Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry and Alex Dombrandt if all are fit - he is the perfect player to unleash from the bench.

Eddie Jones made no secret of his indifference towards domestic form. Steve Borthwick must not follow suit.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Who would you like to see play for England now that Eddie Jones has gone? Let us know in the comments section below and join the debate...