It seems so long ago. Eddie the saviour. From the dust of England’s World Cup ruins to a phoenix-like resurrection and a grand slam. Perhaps topping it all, there was a 3-0 series win in Australia. It looked as though the northern hemisphere had a team that could live with the traditional southern powerhouses outside of their own back yard.

Jones made two decisions about which I waxed lyrical. Both of them were brutal, ruthless and personally humiliating. In the first Test he selected Luther Burrell at inside centre. Australia tore the England midfield apart. After a mere 28 minutes Jones acted.

Jones has had his eye on the World Cup since he took charge of England TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER MARC ASPLAND

Very rarely will a manager make such an early substitution. By acting as decisively as he did he saved the day at the