EDDIE JONES is ready to copy Gareth Southgate and pick a weakened side, giving England an easier route to a possible World Cup final.
If the Red Rose beat France on Saturday, they will top Pool C and are set to face Australia in the quarter-finals.
Winning that tees up a semi-final against favourites New Zealand and the possibility of Rugby Championship kings South Africa in the final.
However, if they finish second by picking the stiffs they will face Wales in the quarters then Japan, Ireland or South Africa in the semis — with a possible final against the All Blacks.
Jones’ side became the first to qualify for the knockout stages thanks to their 39-10 hammering of 14-man Argentina on Saturday.
In Russia last summer, Three Lions boss Southgate made eight changes for their final group game. England lost to Belgium, finished second, and avoided Brazil, France and Argentina.
Instead, they took on Colombia and then Sweden to reach a semi-final against Croatia, which they lost 2-1 in extra-time.
Asked if he would now ring the changes, Jones said: “I think we can improve the team.
“That will be the challenge, how can we improve the team?”
It was part of a bizarre exchange in which Jones even claimed he had no idea where England’s first knock-out game would be played.
'HISTORY MADE TO BE BROKEN'
Just last week Jones went to scout Wales and Australia, knowing all too well England’s possible fate.
At the start of the tournament, he also admitted this could be the first time a side who comes second in their group can win the World Cup.
He said: “History is made to be broken. This could be the one where it is broken.”
So when asked: “Do you now have the chance to protect your strongest 23 and starting XV?”
Jones replied: “At this stage, I’ll be looking to pick our best 23.
“Now, our best 23 may be different from your best 23.”
The questions continued: “That was the best 23 against Argentina though.”
Jones replied: “Well your best isn’t necessarily my best 23.”
Reporter: “OK, well is your best 23 likely to be the same as today’s best 23 against Argentina?”
Jones said: “I doubt it very much.”
Reporter: “Is there not any benefit at all in coming second?”
Aussie Jones, 59, added: “I don’t know, mate. I’m not even looking at it. The only thing I know is we are playing France next week. I don’t know the permutations, I don’t know where the quarter-final is.”
A member of the press bluntly said: “Leave it out.”
Jones hit back: “No, 100 per cent. Where are they, Tokyo?”
Reporter: “No, Oita.”
Jones: “Oh, OK then, we will have to get a bike to get down there.”
And Jones has more on his plate, as he was left sweating overnight to find out the damage done to star No 8 Billy Vunipola.
He lasted just 40 minutes after injuring his ankle and did not even come back on to the bench for the second half at Tokyo Stadium.
On the bright side, fit-again duo Mako Vunipola and Jack Nowell enjoyed cameos on Saturday.
Saracens star Mako Vunipola had hamstring surgery in June. But his England comeback lasted just one game as he damaged scar tissue against Ireland in the warm-ups.
He said: “I always knew there was a target to be involved in this game.
“It was a mental challenge more than anything else.”
Exeter Chiefs ace Nowell made his 10-minute cameo count as he scored the fifth of England’s six tries.
Nowell said: “I had my appendix out. I’ve driven so hard to be involved in this World Cup.
“Being backed by Eddie was important as well, I could quite easily have been sent home.”
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