The 24-year-old, who was born in Zimbabwe but qualifies for England via his grandfather from Sussex, was named in Jones’s provisional 45-man elite player squad in August.

But the former Worcester flanker could find himself handed a permanent place and even fast-tracked into contention for the squads to face South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia, following the injury to Clifford.

Clifford had been in contention to replace the injured James Haskell at openside flanker in the England side for the four-Test series at Twickenham but Harlequins confirmed yesterday that he required surgery on an ankle injury sustained against Exeter Chiefs and is unlikely to return to action until December.

“It is very disappointing and unfortunate that Jack has sustained his ankle injury which will keep him out for approximately 10 weeks,” said John Kingston, Harlequins’ director of rugby. “He is a fierce competitor and I have no doubt he will work exceptionally hard to get himself back on the field as quickly as possible.”