Dylan Hartley has emerged as favourite to take over the England captaincy, despite having one of the worst disciplinary records in English rugby.
And although Chris Robshaw is likely to be stripped of the responsibility, the Harlequins flanker is still expected to feature in the Six Nations in a new position on the blind side.
New coach Eddie Jones is understood to have met his predecessor Stuart Lancaster in Loughborough yesterday, the first time they have got together since England’s disastrous World Cup exit.
Lancaster will have offered his views on the captaincy but Jones already seems intent on selecting a player who can restore a gnarly edge under the new regime.
Jones is believed to be looking only two years ahead, thus ruling out 21-year-old prospect Maro Itoje, and Quins full back Mike Brown is the leading contender for vice-captain.
Wasps lock Joe Launchbury is thought to lack the combative edge of his team-mates and if Northampton hooker Hartley fails to recover from concussion problems in time for England’s first Test against Scotland, Robshaw could continue as leader.
Hartley was kicked out of England’s World Cup squad after being banned for butting Saracens hooker Jamie George, but Jones has claimed there will be a clean slate for all players — including No 10 Danny Cipriani, who is due in court next month after being charged with drink-driving.
‘I’m not worried about what has happened in the past,’ Jones said last month. ‘All I’m worried about is what happens in the future. If Danny Cipriani’s good enough to be in the 30, he’ll be in the 30; if he’s not, he won’t be. But he might have to get a taxi to training!’
As part of his post-World Cup clean-up operation, Jones is appointing a new set of coaches.
With Graham Rowntree, Andy Farrell and Mike Catt released from their contracts with a one-year pay-off on Monday, the Australian wasted no time in appointing forwards coach Steve Borthwick. Saracens’ Paul Gustard is close to being unveiled as defence coach, and Northampton’s Alex King is front-runner to become assistant backs coach.
Bristol Rugby are yet to issue court proceedings against the RFU for an alleged breach of contract in their pursuit of Borthwick. England have offered to lend him back after the Six Nations but the two parties are still in a stand-off over compensation, with the Championship club demanding upwards of £500,000.
On his visit to Loughborough yesterday, Jones took a short detour to Leicester to meet Richard Cockerill as he continued to discuss player selection matters with every director of rugby.
He is yet to meet Northampton’s Jim Mallinder, although he scheduled a coffee with King in the East Midlands earlier this week — despite risking a row by not seeking the club’s permission.
On the playing front, Bath’s George Ford is favourite to be the starting fly-half. Owen Farrell will be the main challenger for the No 10 spot but Ford, who signed a contract extension at The Rec yesterday, has already impressed Jones with his match-winning conversion in the final minute against Wasps on Sunday.
Jones’ attacking style of play is likely to favour Ford, who will be hoping for a fresh start after the wholesale changes to England’s coaching set-up.
‘You never like to see people lose their jobs,’ said Ford. ‘I enjoyed working with them. It happened to us as a family and with my dad after the 2011 World Cup. These guys will come back stronger.
‘At the World Cup, I was disappointed about getting taken out of the team after the Fiji game. But I’m only 22 and I’m sure I will come across many more obstacles — it’s not always plain sailing.
‘You want to play for your country, but, first and foremost, your performances for your club are important. I have signed for another two years with Bath and I never thought about going anywhere else.’
Hartley’s charge sheet:
April 2007: Gouging Wasps players James Haskell and Johnny O’Connor, 26 weeks.
March 2012: Biting finger of Ireland forward Stephen Ferris at Twickenham, 8 weeks.
December 2012: Punching Ulster hooker Rory Best, 2 weeks.
May 2013: Calling referee Wayne Barnes a ‘****ing cheat’ during Premiership final, 11 weeks.
December 2014: Elbowing Leicester centre Matt Smith, 3 weeks.
May 2015: Butting Saracens hooker Jamie George, 4 weeks.
Dylan Hartley has spent an astonishing 54 weeks on the sidelines through suspension for a variety of offences: - Daily Mail