James Haskell and Joe Marler both left out by England as Eddie Jones shows ruthless side

Haskell has been battling the long-term toe injury that kept him out of the Autumn Internationals last year as well as a hand problem, both of which have seen him struggling to find the form that saw him so integral to England’s win in Australia last summer and the Lions tour in New Zealand.

The Englishman also made the headlines for the wrong reasons last month after grabbing fellow absentee Marler by the throat during a clash between Harlequins and Wasps.

However, Jones was quick to assure Haskell that this does not signal the end of the flanker’s England career.

“At the moment he’s just not playing well enough but the door’s never shut on him,” Jones said.

“We know he’s a great player and he’s been a great servant to English rugby – close to 80 caps.

“I’m sure he can regain his form.”

Marler meanwhile was cited yesterday for use of the forearm against Will Rowlands of Wasps, resulting in a three-week ban.

The suspension would have seen him miss the first two matches – against Argentina and Australia – but he would still have been available for the final game against Samoa.

But instead, Jones included him on the list of players “not considered” through injury or suspension.

With Billy Vunipola on that list with knee ligament damage, there is a spot available on the bench behind No 8 Nathan Hughes, who will certainly be the man to replace England’s stricken bulldozer.

The replacement spot appears to have been given to Sam Simmonds, the Exeter back-row forward with five tries to his name already this year.

The 23-year-old is an exciting young talent with a winger’s step and a back’s speed, a stark contrast to the wrecking balls of Vunipola and Hughes.

The other back-row spots have been filled by Sam Underhill and Tom Curry, both of whom made their international debuts during the summer tour of Argentina.