Injuries give Jones plenty to ponder

Eddie Jones will give an insight into his plan to combat the injury crisis sweeping through England’s ranks when he names his squad for the looming autumn series this morning.

The back row has born the brunt of the curse that has thinned the options at openside to the point that it will be at best the sixth choice who lines up against South Africa at Twickenham on November 12.

James Haskell, Jack Clifford, Sam Jones, Mike Williams and Maro Itoje have been ruled out of all four Tests with an assortment of ailments that have forced Jones to tear up his plans.

Chris Robshaw has won more than 40 caps at seven but Jones has repeatedly made it clear he regards him only as a blindside flanker, a point he made most recently last month.

However, the unprecedented number of casualties in the position provide Jones with legitimate grounds to backtrack despite having claimed the former England captain is a “six-and-a-half at best”.

Teimana Harrison, who last started there in the third Test against Australia after Haskell had been ruled out by a foot injury, has been deemed unsuitable by Jones while elite player squad member Will Evans is too inexperienced.

It leaves England in a quandary with Jones’ contingency plan becoming clearer when he names his 32-man squad.

In total 10 players have been ruled out of the autumn programme that continues with fixtures against Fiji and Argentina and ends with the Wallabies’ visit to Twickenham on December 3.

Wales are hopeful British and Irish Lions wing George North will be able to prove his fitness for Northampton this weekend.

North forms part of a worrying Wales injury list ahead of their opening autumn international against Australia in Cardiff on November 5.

Scarlets trio Liam Williams, Jake Ball and Scott Williams are also fitness doubts for Rob Howley’s return in charge with Warren Gatland on Lions leave.