Sir Clive Woodward has congratulated old rival Eddie Jones on his first England squad which he says "ticks every box."
Woodward went head-to-head with Jones in the 2003 World Cup final, England famously winning thanks to Jonny Wilkinson's last-gasp drop goal.
On Wednesday Jones named his first squad since being appointed England coach, picking seven uncapped players and leaving out some big names including Tom Wood, Danny Cipriani, Ben Morgan, Geoff Parling and Tom Youngs.
The likes of Chris Ashton and Marland Yarde, who were out of the England picture under Jones' predecessor Stuart Lancaster, return to the squad.
Woodward, writing in his Daily Mail column, said the Australian had got the balance of his squad right.
"I spent most of my career trying to undermine and pick holes in Eddie Jones' Australian squad," Woodward wrote. "But I can say a big well done on this one. I believe it ticks just about every box after the disappointment of farcical selections for the World Cup and shows Eddie is still very clear in his thinking."
Jones says former captain Chris Robshaw is competing for a place in the team solely as a blindside flanker, rather than openside where he played in the World Cup.
The likes of Richie McCaw, of New Zealand and Australia's Michael Hooper proved at the World Cup that international teams need a specialist at No 7.
Woodward wrote: "Eddie is clearly determined to fix the problem at openside and the lack of pace in the back row, both of which highlighted the failings of the previous regime. He has given himself two options at No 7, Matt Kvesic or young Jack Clifford.
"Kvesic has done well for Gloucester over the last two seasons but he never came into the equation because England decided very early on to go with three big ball-carriers in the back row. It was totally the wrong call. Test rugby at the highest level is about pace; always has been, always will be."
Manu Tuilagi is also back in the fold after 15 months out with injury, but Woodward says fans should not expect an immediate return to the starting team.
"People are assuming that when Tuilagi is fully fit he will come straight in at 12," he wrote. "That will only happen if Manu works on his distribution skills. That's the big challenge for him and he should be excited, not intimidated."
England's first game under Jones will be the Six Nations match with Scotland next month and Woodward says the players must now express themselves.
"To me, this now looks like a squad packed with what is needed at the top level with some real quality players to come in. What Eddie has done very well with his first squad is ensure the right balance," he wrote.
"There are some big hints at the future but he is also assembling a team of in-form players to take on Scotland in the opening match of the Six Nations. They can get into the details in camp but with a clean slate they must now play without fear of losing. There is everything to gain."