Wednesday 25 October 2017 14:12, UK
With Eddie Jones set to announce his squad for England's Old Mutual Wealth Series on Thursday morning, we look at some of the selection decisions facing their head coach.
The three-Test series, live on Sky Sports Action, follows on from a successful summer which contained two victories over in Argentina.
After many new faces featuring in the summer and with British & Irish Lions returning, Jones' strategy for this autumn series has not been made crystal clear. The Australian likes to keep his players on their toes and predicting his thinking isn't always straightforward.
That said, the smart money would be on an experienced individual or two being rested - perhaps in part - this November with the majority of his front-line players coming back in.
One other factor that may come to light during the course of Wednesday is the outcome of two disciplinary hearings from Round 2 of the European Rugby Champions Cup. England captain Dylan Hartley's case was dismissed and he is free to play.
The other two hearings feature Nathan Hughes and Joe Marler and the results may force Jones' hand in those areas.
First, let's focus on individuals potentially being rested for some of the forthcoming series and a prime candidate for that is Maro Itoje.
The 22-year-old has played in all six of Saracens' Aviva Premiership matches and started both of their Champions Cup games. He has amassed 602 minutes of rugby out of a possible 640 so far this season following his output in New Zealand this summer.
The message, from both Saracens and England, is that there 'is a plan' for him and perhaps that plan includes a rest when it comes to this set of internationals?
If that did occur then Bath's Charlie Ewels may be the individual that comes into the squad after starting both Tests in Argentina this summer, and being continually positively named-checked by Jones.
Hot on Ewels' heels is Saracens' Nick Isiekwe, who is growing in stature this season courtesy of the game time that has been afforded to him due to injuries at his club.
With regard to the two final disciplinary hearings, they carry low entry points of two-week suspensions and mid-range suspensions of six weeks.
In terms of the back row, any suspension handed to Hughes would compound the already limited selection choices due to Billy Vunipola's long-term injury.
Many would say that the 'form' No 8 in the Premiership has been Exeter Chiefs' Sam Simmonds.
Yet Jones' last words on the forward - when he announced his training squad back in September - were that he sees him 'as a seven' for us. Simmonds may still be included in the squad but not as cover for that position.
Northampton Saints' Teimana Harrison has said that he's focused on gaining an England recall while Jackson Wray has been an ever-present figure in Saracens' eight jersey since Billy Vunipola's injury.
In the front row, Mako Vunipola and Ellis Genge could very easily take up the reins if Marler is out with Matt Mullan and Nathan Catt potentially arriving back into the squad.
The backline is an area where minimal changes may arise except for those forced by injuries.
Jack Nowell and Ben Te'o are the high-profile casualties of the early season which may hand opportunities for Denny Solomona to re-introduce himself into the mix and see Piers Francis retain his spot from the summer as a midfield option.
Te'o's absence, alongside Manu Tuilagi's injury, may mean that England go into this three-Test series with only ball-playing midfielders as opposed to having that more physical option at their disposal.
When the duo are back to full fitness that shift in style may re-emerge and for the forthcoming matches Henry Slade could command England's 13 jersey outside Owen Farrell.
The Exeter Chief was told by England's head coach to focus on that outside-centre position and has been showing outstanding form of late, particularly against Montpellier in their recent Champions Cup match.
The task that will be put to the individuals selected on Thursday has been made very clear by Jones; it remains all about progressing swiftly along the road to Rugby World Cup 2019.
"Over the next 18 months we will play against France, Argentina, Tonga and the USA," explained Jones to RFU.com
"The opponent on the field might not be those sides, but we will practise our game plan against teams with similar playing styles to those in our Rugby World Cup pool.
"Getting ready for a World Cup is all about rehearsing, so against France we will have a particular game plan. Tonga - probably the most physical team in the world - we have to be ready for that physical onslaught, and then the USA, who are probably one of the most athletic teams in the world."
Watch Eddie Jones' squad announcement live on Sky Sports News at 9am on Thursday, October 26.
