England: Eddie Jones drops Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Jamie George AND George Ford from squad

Eddie Jones began the ‘last chapter’ of his England career with one of the biggest squad overhauls of his six-year tenure on Tuesday.

The national coach dropped four of his most-capped players for next week’s training camp — warning them to sharpen up their performances if they want to make the World Cup.

It was labelled a ‘line in the sand’ moment, as George Ford, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola and Jamie George made way for the likes of Marcus Smith, Louis Lynagh, Sam Simmonds and Gabriel Oghre.

Eddie Jones named his first England squad of the season on Tuesday morning

Billy Vunipola (left) and Mako Vunipola (right) were notable omissions from the 45-man squad

The door was left open for potential comebacks and retained skipper Owen Farrell was told to get back to his best. But a new generation have been given a chance to hold the baton for Jones’ final leg.

‘It is the last chapter for me, the last two years, and I have never been so excited in my life,’ said Jones. 

‘After the Lions tour you draw bit of a line in the sand because then you’re into the last two years before the World Cup. We’ve got five campaigns and each time we pick the squad we want it to be a bit stronger.

‘We are now selecting with the World Cup in mind. Some of the experienced players we’ve left out, we feel this is a good time for them to refresh and get ready to challenge again. 

‘They’re all good players. When they are at their best, they are going to be in strong contention.

‘There are a lot of young players coming through so the competition is hot. It’s hot. They need to find their best. 

‘They probably haven’t been at their best over the last period of time, so we are giving them the opportunity to find their best.’

Utility back Elliot Daly missed out on the squad because of a stress fracture to his leg, having played through the injury on this summer’s Lions tour.

Jones refused to dwell upon the Lions’ series defeat in South Africa, but admitted skipper Farrell needs to rediscover his form, having not started a single Test.

‘Go on one of the chat shows and they will tell you all about the Lions,’ said Jones. ‘I am not a television commentator. 

‘All I am worried about is this mini-camp. I am not here to talk about the Lions. All I am worried about is getting Owen back to his best.

‘He had Covid before the Six Nations, his team were in the Championship, they had spasmodic training sessions and he didn’t get high quality games.

‘He has not been at his best over the last period of time but I am convinced that we can get him back to his best and then we will decide the leadership of the team. 

George Ford was also dropped and won’t take part in next week’s two-day training camp

‘At this stage, there is no reason why he won’t be captain. I have got no doubt that Owen will be back to his best by the autumn.’

Eight uncapped players were named in the 45-man squad, alongside 10 players who made their debut during the summer.

Jones believes the game will become faster ahead of the 2023 World Cup, with rookie No10 Smith widely tipped to lead the team forward.

‘Young Marcus thought he was in trouble in that Canada game, didn’t he, when he gets a plane ticket to the Lions,’ quipped Jones.

‘You’ve just got to see the way that Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga are playing for the All Blacks, what’s needed in a modern No10. 

‘He can take the line on, can be aggressive, know when to hold his depth and be an extra man in defence. 

‘And that’s what we’re looking at for him to develop his game.’