England start their Six Nations build-up in Brighton on Monday and Eddie Jones will be aware that filling the void left by Owen Farrell’s absence is far from the only priority matter he must address.
The captain’s injury has re-opened the door to George Ford and it will surely also mean another stand-in leadership stint for Courtney Lawes. Both men deserve these opportunities.
But there is so much else to consider. England are in the midst of a transition phase which means very little is settled and certain.
Eddie Jones has plenty of decisions to make in the lead up to this year's Six Nations
Any attempt to write down a potential starting XV reveals that there are very few shoo-ins. Maro Itoje is one, Tom Curry is another, as is Kyle Sinckler — for now at least — and Ben Youngs remains the unchallenged No 1 scrum-half. Beyond that, most places are subject to debate.
Henry Slade is all but assured of a midfield start but his exact role depends on the availability of Farrell and Manu Tuilagi — who is closing in on another comeback.
Freddie Steward appears on the cusp of a long career as England’s pre-eminent full back but he is not yet untouchable — he is still finding his feet at Test level, albeit quickly.
Up front, Joe Marler’s set-piece prowess perhaps gives him a marginal edge over the rampaging Leicester captain, Ellis Genge, for the No 1 shirt but the loosehead prop selection will divide opinion, as will Jamie George versus Luke Cowan-Dickie at hooker.
Owen Farrell's injury means that Courtney Lawes is likely to have another leadership stint
However, the key to England’s short-term fortunes appears to lie in how Jones and his assistants decide to proceed in the back five of the pack. This column would advocate the use of players in their primary habitat, especially in relation to the deployment of Tom Curry.
Jones has called for the Sale flanker to show better consistency if he wants to be truly world class but what would help that process is consistency of role.
Curry was at No 8 in the autumn and has flitted between the flanker berths but openside is his preferred position, so he should become entrenched there, until the next World Cup — with the option to fill in elsewhere only when in-game emergencies require it.
England have enough No 8 talent at their disposal to back one of the specialist contenders and it makes sense for Alex Dombrandt to be given that shot.
His hat-trick against Castres on Friday night continued a spell of fine form when he has led Harlequins with real authority. In tight games, he is fronting up.
Sale Sharks' Tom Curry was at No 8 in the autumn but openside is his preferred position
His telepathic club alliance with Marcus Smith could enhance the national team and it feels as if the time has
