England vs Fiji: The hosts chase Rugby World Cup winning formula

For England, it is time to test theories about the turf.

Two years on from the Rugby World Cup finals, and with a squad of youngsters freshened up over the summer and freed from the pressures of the Six Nations campaign, they face Fiji on Saturday – their weakest opponent of the autumn, according to the rankings at least.

Night may have fallen, but it’s a weekend to think about blue skies and distant horizons.

Some seven changes were imposed for the start of XV. Full-back Freddie Steward has been ruled out with a hand injury. Winger Tom Roebuck has tweaked his ankle. Captain Maro Itoje, who has been a regular for the team for nearly a decade, is on the bench after suffering a rare knock.

But head coach Steve Borthwick may have changed the pick anyway.

With eight straight wins providing some breathing room, his priority is competition to push the team to new heights, rather than continuity.

Focus is particularly sharp at the fly half.

Finn Smith, Northampton’s wise young boss, got the nod.

George Ford, who certainly led the team in the summer, has been left out. Marcus Smith, the spark at the heart of England’s attack this time last year, is in the out-of-favour full-back position.

Three out of 10 don’t go.

While Kevin Sinfield spoke of the edge and appetite that the chopping and changing brought to camp, the assistant coach admitted there was frustration and discontent in management as well.