With Fin Smith rested, Ford is preferred to Marcus Smith at fly-half, with the latter again being deployed as a utility option off the bench.

For Ford, the debate around the England number 10s is nothing new.

“It’s been like this all my England career. A lot has been spoken about fly-half in particular and who starts. And 12 years ago now when I first came in, it was the same,” he said.

“Genuinely the three of us, our relationship, the respect we have for each other but how competitive we are as well, is probably the best I’ve experienced within the England team.

“We understand selection is very subjective and Steve will pick a 23 that he thinks is the best formula to win the game.

“For the team to succeed, for the team to win, for the team to go and win the Nations Championship or to go and win a World Cup in 12 months’ time, it’s going to need three high-quality, brilliant 10s who are great people as well.

“Fin has been amazing, the way he’s played for Northampton, the way he’s played for England, he’s took it to a new level in his game.

“Marcus has started the season like a house on fire when he came back from his injury at Quins and you know what versatility he’s got and how he can influence the game.

“And hopefully I can add when I am playing, when I’m not playing, maybe in a different kind of way.

“So what I’m saying is you get the one who’s starting at the weekend, you probably get another one of us who’s on the bench, but it’s like a three-man job to get the team ready for every week. Of course we want to play, but we are very respectful of the situation.”