Heirs apparent Options for the future

Reward club excellence

Mark Mccall (left) and Rob Baxter (right) have been the Premiership’s leading lights for a while. They have developed the tactical identities of Saracens and Exeter Chiefs, shown nous in selection and won silverware. Dean Richards has ticked two of those boxes with Newcastle Falcons.

Promote from within

A method favoured by New Zealand, this would represent good news for Steve Borthwick (left) or Paul Gustard (right). Jones’ existing lieutenants would concentrate on their units – Borthwick on the forwards, Gustard on defence – until after the World Cup. Then, there would be time for a Super Rugby secondment.

Trust a young gun

Saracens’ Alex Sanderson (left), Ali Hepher (right) at Exeter and Newcastle’s Dave Walder are just three Englishmen impressing. Rory Teague, who traded an England skills role for Bordeaux and has now been shunted up the ladder to director of rugby following Jacques Brunel’s appointment to France, is one to watch.

Chase a big hitter

This scenario is most likely if Jones hurtles to an early exit. Vern Cotter (left), formerly with Scotland and now at Montpellier, and Dave Rennie (right), the New Zealander in charge of Glasgow, would lead the pack. And would Andy Farrell want to move from defensive guru to a wider remit?