Eddie Jones has been given the green light to invoke the ‘exceptional circumstances’ clause in the RFU’s overseas-player rule by picking Ospreys teenage sensation Sam Underhill for this summer’s tour to Australia.

The 19-year-old former England under 18s captain, currently studying economics at Cardiff University, has been hugely impressive in his breakthrough professional season with the Ospreys.

Sportsmail revealed on Thursday that England head coach Jones is keeping a close eye on the young flanker, who was outstanding in the Ospreys' win over French giants Clermont Auvergne last Friday.

Former Gloucester flanker Sam Underhill has caught the eye for the Ospreys in recent weeks

The RFU, acutely aware that Underhill could potentially be called up by any one of the USA, Wales or Scotland at the end of the season under World Rugby qualification rule, are desperate not to miss out on an exciting talent they nurtured through the age-group ranks.

‘He is certainly on the radar,’ chief executive Ian Ritchie admitted on Friday when asked if Underhill’s performances had convinced the RFU to invoke the ‘exceptional circumstances’ clause for the first time.

‘He has been in age-grade teams and is clearly a talented player and would want to make sure at how he stays in consideration for England. In terms of elite squad, if someone at a university and certainly need to look that something doesn’t artificially inhibit us selecting talented people. We’ll continue to look at that. He is very much on radar.

England head coach Eddie Jones is keeping a close eye on the former England under 18s captain

‘Could he tour Australia? That is a matter for Eddie. There is also a Saxons tour (to South Africa ) possibly.’

More pressingly, Jones is set to name Dylan Hartley as England captain on Monday as he immediately delivers on his promise to wipe the slate clean for every player.

Hartley’s abysmal disciplinary record has seen him banned for 54 weeks of his professional playing career but Ritchie does not believe naming him as national captain would undermine the RFU’s core values of discipline and respect.

Jones is set to name Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley (pictured) as England captain on Monday

‘There is no impediment as far as I am concerned,' he said. 'This is a call for Eddie and the coaching team and there is nothing that would make you say "no don’t go down this route". It (picking national captain) is a facet that is important for the head coach to do.

‘There is an element of balance, perspective and if Eddie thinks Dylan first of all gets a place in the team and secondly is the right captain and he thinks that is the best thing to get a winning team you put it into that perspective.’

Ritchie also poured cold water on Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal’s suggestion on Friday he intends to enter the French outfit into the Aviva Premiership.

‘You have to reflect on it, but it’s fair to say it’s a long shot.’