Eddie Jones reveals four contenders to be England's next number 10, including two teenagers

Commenting on his four picks, the England head coach commented: "They are all possibly going to have the opportunity to step up.

"It is the toughest position in world rugby. You have so much pressure, so little time and space, a lot of decisions to make so it’s a fantastic opportunity for one of the young guys to step up.”

Jones added: “We are really keen to bring some younger guys through. It is the right time for us in terms of our World Cup planning.”

Atkinson has impressed in the Wasps first-team recently, making 15 first team appearances and was part of England's shadow squad for the 2021 Six Nations.

The fly half, who has operated at full back on occasions, has also appeared for England Under 18s and Under 20s.

Atkinson has been promoted to the first team squad for the 2021/22 season after signing a new contract with the Gallagher Premiership club.

DID YOU KNOW? Rugby runs in the family for this talented number 10 with Dad Ian playing for Tynedale RFC, Northumberland and also having England U18 trials.

Smith became the second-youngest player to play for Warriors in the Gallagher Premiership when he made his debut as a replacement against Gloucester Rugby at Kingsholm in February.

At 18 years and 292 days, Smith became only the second 18-year-old to play for Warriors in the top flight with lock Graham Kitchener the youngest, at 18 years and 195 days, when he played against Wasps in April 2008.

He then became the youngest Worcester player to start a Premiership fixture in the club’s history when he took to the field at The Rec last month.

DID YOU KNOW? Following Smith’s debut, England centre Ollie Lawrence drops to third in the list of Warriors’ youngest Premiership players.

Jones has come under fire for consistently ignoring Simmonds, who captained Exeter to a Premiership and European Cup double last season. Name-checking him, his time may finally come this summer.

Like his older brother Sam, Simmonds has come through the Chiefs academy system at Ivybridge Community College - and he's previously represented England at age group level, including the Under-20s in the Six Nations Championship.

DID YOU KNOW? Simmonds was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2021 New Year Honours for services to rugby union football

Smith's rapid rise shows no signs of slowing down – it took barely a year for him to go from captaining Brighton College in an unbeaten season to involvement in the senior England squad.

The Harlequins star, who balances flair with good game management, looks like the obvious choice to be Eddie Jones next number 10 after his Lions call-up in the summer.

DID YOU KNOW? Smith became the second-youngest Premiership debutant in history, behind George Ford, when making his Harlequins bow against London Irish aged 18 years and 200 days in September 2017