In his then capacity as a newspaper columnist, Eddie Jones was far from complimentary of most England players during the 2015 World Cup. Yet in the 28-25 defeat to Wales, Jones distinctly remembers noting that Joe Launchbury’s general play was “absolutely outstanding.”

Nevertheless it has taken some time for the Wasps second row to fully earn Jones’ trust. With the emergence of Maro Itoje, the resurgence of Courtney Lawes and the lineout nous of George Kruis, Launchbury frequently found himself as the odd man out in Jones’ first year in charge.

All the time, Launchbury’s overall play remained at a staggering high level. As ever with Jones, he could see past the ridiculous returns of tackles and carries that had everyone else salivating and honed in the fallibilities that few noticed.

“The area we had our concern around was his lineout jumping ability,” Jones said. “He has worked really hard on that area. His general play has always been outstanding. But he has not been an outstanding lineout jumper and he has worked really hard in that area. Now that’s not an area to hold him back.”

Second guessing Jones is as dangerous as any occupation outside icefield trucking, but Launchbury now looks to have established a permanent position within the head coach’s plans. “He is held in very high regard by us,” Jones said. On Saturday, Launchbury will win his 50th cap against Scotland and should remain there for some time to come.