By Zinzan Brooke Former All Black

England coach Andy Robinson has plenty on his plate as he begins preparations for the November internationals.

The world champions are vulnerable at the moment, and every other team is going to see an opportunity to beat them.

The opposition's morale is going to be lifted when they see there is no Martin Johnson or Lawrence Dallaglio or Neil Back, and possibly no Matt Dawson either.

Hill has won 71 England caps

Johnson was a great presence but it is probably easier to replace a lock as a player than a number eight, and one of his most difficult decisions will be to how to replace Dallaglio.

Number eight is one of those vital positions at the spine of the team, and Dallaglio has been an important cog there for many years.

In New Zealand the All Blacks number eight has been changing like the weather recently.

Good number eights don't grow on trees and it really needs a lot of thought put into it.

You can't just get that experience unless you have played there, and ideally you want someone who plays in the position for his club every week.

But unless you have got a stand-out player, you have to go for someone with experience.

Joe Worsley has some experience of playing there and he will be one of the choices open to Robinson.

But Richard Hill has also played there for England and to my mind is the best candidate at the moment.

Things at the back of the scrum could get worse before they get better

Hill can play anywhere in the back row but I think it is time he stuck to number six or eight.

He played at seven on the summer tour, which was a trip too far for England, but I think they need an out-and-out openside flanker.

I don't think Hill can compete anymore with guys like Australia's George Smith and Richie McCaw of New Zealand, who are always going to get the better of him.

England have other candidates at number seven when the likes of Lewis Moody and Alex Sanderson are fit, and younger players like Michael Lipman coming through.

There are also other options at number eight like Chris Jones at Sale and Gloucester's James Forrester, who looks quite handy from what I have seen of him.

Worsley is also a strong candidate

But it is asking a lot for a young player to come into the side and play in the key position.

If you are going to play someone like Jones it is probably best to put him on the blindside flank to build up his international experience.

A number eight needs to make sure the ball is cleared off the back of the scrum efficiently and make difficult decisions in the heat of a Test match.

Worsley could probably adapt to the role and Hill certainly would.

He has probably got a couple more years left and could bridge the gap for the time being until one of the younger players has established himself.

If Dawson does not get back into the squad, England could be looking for a new eight and nine, and it might be that things at the back of the scrum get worse before they get better.

To make that transition well you either need a fantastic forward pack in front of you or a lot of luck.

Andy Gomarsall and Harry Ellis seem to be the alternatives at scrum-half and I would go with Gomarsall's experience because he can handle the pressure.

But I don't think Dawson is out of it yet. There is still time for him to get back in there.