ENGLAND head coach Eddie Jones has backed Worcester Warriors centre Ollie Lawrence ahead of England's Autumn Nations Cup opening fixture against Georgia this weekend.

Lawrence earned his first senior cap off the bench in the Six Nations final game with Italy at the end of last month and will be hoping to add more minutes to his tally when England host Georgia at Twickenham on Saturday.

Despite only having a 15-minute spell in Rome, Jones seems to be pleased with the progression the 21-year-old is making.

"He was good enough to be in the 23, so that's pretty good," Jones told The Rugby Paper.

"So we will see how he handles every exam.

"He has a few more exams to do but he is progressing nicely, he just needs to keep working hard, keep balanced and keep his mind on the job and we'll see how it goes."

Lawrence has been in the camp with Ted Hill for the last two weeks and they have both been retained in the 36-man squad for the upcoming autumn tests.

With an Achilles injury to regular first-choice centre Manu Tuilagi, Lawrence was widely touted for a chance to prove his quality he has shown this season for Worcester.

But Jones think any comparisons being made between the two midfielders are pointless and unfair at this stage.

Jones said: "The last count I had was that Manu was a 50 cap player who played exceptionally well at the last world cup, Ollie is a 0.25 cap player.

"It's like comparing Don Bradman to the English fast bowler that can't bat, Jimmy Anderson."