Jones rates the potential of Ford as higher than that of New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett, who became World Player of the Year only last weekend and who was instrumental in New Zealand getting off the canvas following their Chicago knockdown to defeat Ireland in Dublin. If Barrett has guided the All Blacks back to the pinnacle in the post-Dan Carter era, then, in Jones’s eyes, it will be Ford who performs a similar role for England.

“I think George can be better than Beauden Barrett,” said Jones, purring with admiration for the way in which his fly-half’s sharp-eyed sense of the field and opportunity brings the best from those around him. “People rave about Beauden Barrett but I don’t. I just think George has got a great feel for the game. He sees opportunities. He needs to work on his running game a bit, needs to be more of a threat himself. He’s actually too selfless. He needs to be a bit more selfish with the ball at times. But his alignment on some of the phase ball was absolutely outstanding, the best I have seen for a long time.”