Eddie Jones is ready to risk his England side's losing run potentially being extended to six matches by resting his British and Irish Lions for the summer tour of South Africa as he starts a dramatic overhaul of his squad.

The England head coach is set to ring the changes after Saturday's 24-15 defeat to Grand Slam champions Ireland ensured a fifth-placed finish in the NatWest Six Nations - their worst result for 35 years.

Jones immediately warned some players involved in his side's third successive defeat would not represent their country again and he has now signalled he is ready to gamble by not selecting his Lions players - many of whom looked jaded during the Six Nations - for this summer's three-Test tour of South Africa.

That could result in England not fielding their strongest XV again until the autumn Test series, when they will host world champions New Zealand in one of four matches.

Hopes of a swift England revival would appear to be in the balance if senior players such as Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, Mako Vunipola and Maro Itoje are rested against a Springbok team that looks set to recall its own Europe-based players.