Still reach No1 without getting to No2

the number one hooker in England. But there’s no hatred for one another. We laugh about it.”

Jones, a former hooker himself, says he prefers a “butcher” in the middle of his front row. And with Hartley, whose chequered disciplinary rap sheet – including a headbutt on George in the 2015 Premiership semi-finals – stretches far back into the distance, you can almost hear the slashing sounds. If George was of a similar temperament to Hartley, would their relationship work? “I don’t think so,” said George.

“But we do, in a way, complement each other. I have a lot of respect for him. Dylan is a very knowledgeable bloke and he gets the best out of other people. He encourages them to contribute. That’s the sign of a good captain.” Both men have been working this week at Pennyhill Park with consultant Marc Dal Maso, the extrovert Frenchman who ran Japan’s scrum for Jones at the last World Cup.

“He’s a really interesting guy. He’s so passionate and intense,” said George. “It’s the first time I’ve ever worked with a coach who needs a translator so everything takes a little bit longer, but I find because of that you end up focusing a little bit more on what is being said.”

George was finally given his first start by Jones against Samoa in the autumn after a record 19 Tests as a substitute but normal service is set to be resumed when the team to face Italy on Sunday is named today.

“The finishers have been doing a really good job,” said George. “If you look at the way England games have gone recently, the last 20 minutes have been generally pretty successful. We have run away with games.”

In the past two meetings with Italy, England have done just that, last year’s 36-15 win coming after the hosts were only two points clear with 12 minutes remaining.

It would be a fair bet the latest clash will follow the same pattern – with George leading the unstoppable cavalry charge.