Now it’s about fixing World Cup pairings

JOB done for England. Winning a series in Australia is not easy and it will give the guys a lot of confidence. If you put a microscope over things I’m sure Eddie Jones will find faults, but it’s something to build on. Now it’s all about consistency in selection. Eddie’s tried out so many players over the last year but he needs to start nailing down his combinations for the World Cup.

FRONT ROW

Kyle Sinckler’s a shoo in for me. Will Stuart is not on the same level but has proved himself as a good back-up. There’s not too much depth at tighthead, so they need to foster a third option. On the loosehead, Ellis Genge is the out-and-out first choice. Joe Marler should come back for the World Cup and he’s neck-and-neck with Mako Vunipola. Jamie George and Luke Cowan Dickie are nailed on at hooker, but the third spot is open. Loosehead: Genge, Mako, Marler; Hooker: George, Cowan-Dickie, Blamire; Tighthead: Sinckler, Stuart, Heyes.

SECOND ROW

Lock often comes down to combinations. Look at Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, Martin Johnson and Ben Kay. Maro Itoje and Jonny Hill feel like the starting combination now. I think Joe Launchbury will come in when he’s fit and Ollie Chessum’s is on a real upward trajectory.

Lock: Itoje, Hill, Chessum, Launchbury.

BACK ROW

This is probably where England have the most depth. Billy Vunipola suits the way England play. He has been behind Sam Underhill and Alex Dombrandt but the jersey is his to lose. It’s tough to see Sam Simmonds getting in the squad when all three are fit. Courtney Lawes has been unbelievable this season. Tom Curry and Sam Underhill have always been nailed on and Lewis Ludlam has played his way in.

Back row Billy, Dombrandt, Curry, Underhill, Lawes (cover lock), Ludlam.

SCRUM-HALF

It was really tough to see Danny Care hooked in the first half. He’s a world-class player and I hope he bounces back, but it has given Ben Youngs the edge. You can see shades of Richard Wigglesworth and Youngs in Jack van Poortvliet with his game management and kicking accuracy, but he also has the running threat too. Raffi Quirke is another guy I’m a fan of.

No 9: JVP, Youngs, Quirke.

FLY-HALF

No one is getting in over Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell. If they decide to take a third No10 then George Ford will come back in, but there’s no point having him in to hold tackle bags. They’re more likely to have a utility guy like George Furbank to provide cover. No 10: Smith, Farrell (cover 12).

CENTRE

The Manu Tuilagi debate will not go away. It’s a struggle to replace him. Joe Marchant won’t be happy at being dropped for the last two Tests, so that’s a blow to his chances. Henry Slade will come back but he works better outside Tuilagi than Farrell. The jury is still out on Guy Porter but he allows others to shine. Centre: Slade, Manu, Marchant (cover wing), Porter

BACK THREE

Freddie Steward, Jack Nowell and Tommy Freeman are my starting back-three. Anthony Watson will push his way back in. Henry Arundell has the stardust too. But it’s been a while since we’ve seen Jonny May at his best and Joe Cokanasiga didn’t seize his chance. Back 3: Steward, Freeman, Nowell, Watson, Arundell.