"Times up" - Four players Eddie Jones won’t pick again for England

“If we kept the squad we had now, we’d be too old for the World Cup. There is a certain profile of around 28 years of age for a World Cup-winning side,” Jones said.

“We have been bringing that down slowly over the last two years and we need to keep accelerating that because the more senior guys keep getting older.

“It’s about getting the balance right in the squad between what we have in terms of very good players and 11 good enough to play for the Lions, so they are pretty good players and if they keep their desire and form there is no reason why those guys can’t go to the World Cup.

“All of those guys are probably 25 and above as a general point, so we want to bring some younger guys in with energy, risklessness (sic) and desire that will lift the team higher and higher.”

Below we take a look at three seasoned internationals who may have played their final game for England.

Bad luck meant that the winger, who suffered an injury ravaged season with Gloucester, failed to play a single minute as England secured a 2-1 series against the Wallabies down under. Unfortunately, it is starting to look like May is on the downward slide after reaching his peak around 2018.

Replacement: Adams Radwan (Newcastle Falcons), Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish), Ollie Thorley (Gloucester), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), Henry Arundell (London Irish)

The Sale Sharks number 10 is set to miss a huge chunk of the 2022/23 season through injury, which means he has a lot to do to get back on Jones's radar for the World Cup. With a new coach likely to come in after that, Ford's days as an international fly-half are numbered.

Replacement: Fin Smith (Worcester), Jacob Umaga (Wasps)

Marler will likely miss out on the 2022 Autumn Nations Series after dropping out of favour with England head coach Eddie Jones once again, according to RUCK sources.

The prop has put a future in the media into a higher gear, regularly appearing on celebrity game shows, presenting on Talk Sport and even starring in a new celebrity version of Rui Paul’s Drag Race.

With Sale Sharks powerhouse Bevan Rodd labelled the future, Jones seems comfortable moving forward with Ellis Genge and Mako Vunipola as his experienced loosehead’s moving forward.

Their relationship was further strained earlier this summer after Marler declared that Jones decision to replace 80-cap Danny Care after just 36 minutes ‘lacked respect’.

Replacements: Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks)

With the emergence of Ollie Chessum and the developments of Jonny Hill and Nick Isiekwe it looks likely that injury prone Launchbury can get himself back into the England squad. However, if he gets a run of games you'd be a fool to rule him out of catching Jones' eye.

Replacements: Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks), Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Hugh Tizard (Saracens)