Steve Borthwick has launched his overhaul of the England set-up by confirming the departure of Red Rose forwards coach Matt Proudfoot and two other members of the back-room staff.

Former Springboks scrum guru Proudfoot was hired by Eddie Jones after masterminding the set-piece demolition of England in the last World Cup final, in Yokohama in 2019.

However, the national team's scrum has become an area of concern and another ordeal at the hands of the Boks late last month left Proudfoot's position under threat, even before Jones was dismissed.

With Richard Cockerill also responsible for the forwards and reinforced by his positive impact on the lineout of late, Proudfoot - predictably - has been rapidly jettisoned by new head coach Borthwick, who will have personal input into pack preparations.

Brett Hodgson has become another casualty of the regime change, having not even started work in earnest as the new defence coach. 

He was recruited to replace another cross-code Australian, Anthony Seibold, but has been released after Borthwick insisted on bringing Kevin Sinfield with him from Leicester. Training co-ordinator Danny Kerry, who was brought in from British hockey, has also left his England post.

The primary focus now will be on Borthwick's policy regarding his attack coach. Martin Gleeson remains in that role for now, but Jones' successor has made clear that he is prepared to scour the country and the world if he feels the need to add a new assistant - and the RFU are ready to back him in full.