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Former England captain Dylan Hartley believes that England are ‘spoilt for choice’ when it comes to squad depth.
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An England side including two debutants – centre Guy Porter and wing Tommy Freeman – claimed an impressive 25-17 over the Wallabies in Brisbane.
Hartley, who served under Jones for several years before retiring in 2018 – said the win was evidence of the strength in depth of this current England team.
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“He’s spoilt for choice, right? Alex Mitchell is not on tour for example, you could play him at nine,” Hartley told Sky Sports after the match.
“He handed out debuts today [in the second Test] and debuts last week, and he won a Test match against a good Australian side. If he’s got that luxury, I suppose that’s what he’s doing, if he’s confident his team can win.
“He picks a side to win the game, that’s what he always says.”
England will be forced to reshuffle again ahead of the decider in Sydney – with Maro Itoje and Sam Underhill now both ruled out.
“Whilst you want your out and out 15, you also have to explore options because injuries are inevitable,” he said.
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“Two or three guys from that World Cup starting XV in Eddie’s mind will not be there at the time. There will be a bolter that comes through [too]. He’s spoilt for choice, there are so many good players.”
The second Test win has given Jones a reprieve after the question over his future was raised after first Test loss in Perth. The victory brought to an end a run of four losses in a row for the Australian.
Jones has remained defiant amid calls for his resignation, with his mother even asking was he getting the boot.
“I like it. I think it is fantastic. I love my mother ringing me up in the morning saying ‘are you going to get sacked? When do you have to move? Are you going to come back to Australia? Come back and live in Randwick’,” Jones said.
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“I love that. My poor mother. But I don’t mind it because I have made the choice to take the job and that’s always going to happen because there’s infatuation with sacking coaches now isn’t there?”
