STATEMENT: RFU Addresses Eddie Jones' Claim of Influencing Steve Borthwick's Team Selection

Following the record-breaking defeat, Jones, who had been dismissed by the RFU months earlier, speculated that the RFU was impacting his selection choices.

“The selection of Marcus — to me that’s always the political selection,” said Jones on his podcast EDDIE. “

"A player has been out of form, hasn’t quite done well at Test level and then he plays one or two club games and he’s a hero. The media starts banging on the door — you’ve got to pick him, you’ve got to pick him — and then the board reacts to that, and ask, ‘Why aren’t you picking him?’

“When you’re a young coach at the start of your career you can get influenced by that. I really felt for Marcus in that game. The thing you’ve got in England is the intenseness [sic] of the media, which then affects the board, and they start to step in, and that’s when you get problems. Allow the coach to coach.

“The board have a strategic role, but because they feel the pressure they try to get involved in the operational side, and that’s when things get worse. Unless you have strong people around the team that can be a difficulty.”

An RFU spokesperson told Telegraph Sport: “Team selection is entirely Steve’s decision as England Head Coach.”

This weekend, the Australian coach, now leading Japan, faces his former team for the first time, with Marcus Smith once again starting at fly-half as confirmed by Borthwick this morning.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge of playing Japan at their National Stadium.

“Conditions in Tokyo mean we’ll need to be accurate, keep our discipline, and maintain a level of intensity in our performance from the first whistle to the last.

“We will need to be at our very best against an opponent who will want to play fast.”

15. George Furbank

14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

13. Henry Slade - vice-captain

12. Ollie Lawrence

11. Tommy Freeman

10. Marcus Smith

9. Alex Mitchell

1. Bevan Rodd

2. Jamie George - captain

3. Dan Cole

4. Maro Itoje - vice-captain

5. George Martin

6. Chandler Cunningham-South

7. Sam Underhill

8. Ben Earl - vice-captain

16. Theo Dan

17. Joe Marler - vice-captain

18. Will Stuart

19, Charlie Ewels

20. Tom Curry

21. Harry Randall

22. Fin Smith

23. Tom Roebuck

Below, you will find a list of the players' partners, along with additional information about each of them:

Beth Dolling, whose Instagram handle is @bethdolling, is presently romantically involved with Marcus Smith, the fly-half for Harlequins.

Their relationship began in 2019, but the details of their initial encounter remain undisclosed. Beth is not only a model but also a singer, having participated in various campaigns for renowned brands like PrettyLittleThing, Missy Empire, and Rebellious.

She is affiliated with M Models in Manchester and Body London, showcasing glimpses of her fashion shoots on her Instagram story.

With 34,000 followers on Instagram, Beth keeps her fans engaged with her captivating content.

Joe Marchant, the talented former Harlequins centre, is currently involved in a delightful relationship with musician Hollie Shearer. Their love story has blossomed over the course of a year, and they radiate happiness as a couple.

Hollie is not only Joe's partner but also a gifted singer-songwriter with her music available on Spotify. She has captivated audiences with her soulful performances, including a memorable showcase at The Spice of Life.

Hollie's talent and dedication have garnered her a strong following, with 68,000 Instagram followers eagerly keeping up with her artistic journey. For those interested, her Instagram handle is @hollieshearer.

Katie George and Jamie George, the Saracens hooker, are happily married. They tied the knot in 2020 after being in a relationship for six years. At their wedding, Jamie's teammate Elliot Daly had the honor of being his best man. Their enduring bond reflects a deep connection and a shared journey of love and commitment.

Willis, the esteemed Toulouse flanker, is in a committed, long-term relationship with his girlfriend Megan.

Together, they share the joy of parenthood as proud parents to their son, Enzo, who was born in December 2021. Recently, in a heartwarming Instagram post, Megan expressed her love for their little bundle of joy.

She shared a collection of adorable photos capturing Enzo's playful and spirited nature, while showering him with heartfelt birthday wishes. Megan emphasized that being the parents of such a charismatic and determined little boy is their most significant accomplishment, emphasizing the immense love they have for him.

Despite her impeccable physique, it might surprise you to learn that Jessica Lawes is a mother of four, alongside her husband Courtney, a flanker for the Northampton Saints.

In a grand ceremony held in July 2015, the couple exchanged their vows, marking the beginning of their marital journey.

Recently, Jessica, who is not only a property developer but also a blogger, openly shared her concerns about the prospect of her children following in their father's rugby-playing footsteps. She admitted her worries centered around their safety, expressing, "I'm uncertain whether I'd want them to pursue rugby. I can already picture myself rushing onto the field, urging them to halt."

Michelle has her own photography studio called Michelle Sylvia Photography. According to her bio, Michelle is a “Hertfordshire based photographer” who recently graduated from the London School of Photography.

Maintaining a remarkably low profile, Owen and Georgie Farrell lead a private life, even though Owen is recognized as one of England's prominent players.

As the captain of Saracens, Owen has garnered much acclaim, yet both he and Georgie choose to keep their personal lives away from the public eye. In the summer of 2018, they exchanged vows and embarked on their journey as a married couple.

The following year, they welcomed their first child into the world, and in 2021, their family grew further with the arrival of their second child. Together, Owen and Georgie cherish their precious moments as they navigate the joys and challenges of parenthood.

Ben and Charlotte, formerly known as Beardshaw, reportedly crossed paths in London during a charity event dedicated to honoring veteran doctors and physiologists. Charlotte, who works as a Cosmetic Nurse at The Hospital Group, possesses expertise in various skin treatments including skin peels, Botox, fillers, and dermaroller as outlined on her LinkedIn profile.

Their union took place in 2015, and they are now parents to two young children named Boris and Billie. Charlotte, known for her strong work ethic, is said to be adept at managing the dual responsibilities of her profession and motherhood, all while providing unwavering support to her husband, who is a scrumhalf for the Leicester Tigers.

Tuilagi, the talented Sale Sharks player, shares a beautiful relationship with Chantelle Garrity. They are blessed with two children, forming a loving and close-knit family.

Recently, on Chantelle's birthday, Manu took to Instagram to express his deep affection and appreciation for her. In a heartfelt post, he declared Chantelle as his absolute world and thanked her for the countless ways she enriches their lives.

Manu emphasized the profound love they share as a family and conveyed their heartfelt wishes, underscoring just how cherished Chantelle is to them.