A favourite emerges to usurp Ben Youngs' hold on the England No9 jersey

Ben Spencer has emerged as a popular choice to earn a recall to Eddie Jones’ England squad next month following his move to Bath. The scrum-half left Saracens during rugby’s mid-season hiatus and has been a catalyst for his new side’s surge up the Gallagher Premiership table.

The 28-year-old’s kicking game has never been questioned throughout his career, and it was one of the factors as to why he was so successful at Saracens. But whether it is the stylistic change that has come with moving to Bath that has highlighted other strengths in his game, or that he is no longer competing with Richard Wigglesworth to start, Spencer has become the form No9 in England.

His performance against Sale Sharks at the weekend only increased his stock. His two tries were a consequence of being in the right place, but his overall game management is what is setting him apart. When also considering the deft touches like the kick to set up Jonathan Joseph’s try at the AJ Bell, it is growing hard for Jones to ignore him ahead of the international fixtures this autumn.

Few players have made such an impressive return to rugby and staked a better claim for a Test call up this season, and Spencer now appears to be a popular option among England fans.

The England head coach has favoured Ben Youngs and Willi Heinz over the past year, only handing Spencer and Dan Robson transient opportunities to prove their worth in white. But the latter two are undoubtedly playing the best rugby out of Jones’ options, while also being younger than the former two. Robson has also been part of a post-lockdown resurgence at Wasps, who sit in second place in the league, one point above Bath.

Spencer only has four England caps, the last of which came in the Rugby World Cup final last year where he was called up to the squad in the final week, but he may add to them over the next few months.