“You describe it as an issue. I feel a variety of nations would look on it in an envious method.”
England head coach Steve Borthwick is describing the dilemma he’s going through about the best way to reintegrate a returning Owen Farrell into his facet.
The England captain is eligible for choice once more after serving a suspension for a harmful deal with which dominated him out of the opening World Cup wins over Argentina and Japan.
However, with George Ford successful consecutive man-of-the match awards and excelling at fly-half in Farrell’s absence, will Borthwick select one or attempt to deploy them each in his beginning XV?
Chile recreation excellent for Farrell return
England have all however sealed their place within the final eight of the match in France.
Borthwick’s facet produced a medical kicking show to cruise previous Argentina earlier than securing a bonus-point win after carrying Japan down.
Of their subsequent match on Saturday (16:45 BST), they are going to be large favourites to beat Chile – who’ve misplaced their opening two video games of their debut World Cup – and transfer via to the final eight.
It could possibly be the right alternative for Borthwick to rotate his facet and reintroduce Farrell by resting a number of the gamers concerned in Marseille and Good.
“It is nice to have the captain again obtainable,” England assault coach Richard Wigglesworth mentioned.
“I am delighted for Owen. He has been via numerous weeks of not doing what he loves so I am glad that we get to have him again.
“He’ll increase the bar, increase the depth like Owen Farrell does. When he steps on the coaching discipline or is enjoying, you recognize you will get a carry.”
What about Samoa and past?
The “drawback” journalists had been asking Borthwick about following England’s win over Japan was the best way to embody Farrell with Ford wanting so spectacular at fly-half.
Whereas each gamers can function within the centre, they like to steer the crew from 10.
Ford began at 10, with Farrell partnering Manu Tuilagi within the centre, throughout England’s thrilling win over New Zealand within the World Cup semi-final 4 years in the past.
“We’re spoilt actually that he [Farrell] has performed a lot worldwide rugby at 10 and 12,” Wigglesworth mentioned.
England’s 2003 World Cup-winning scrum-half Matt Dawson, nevertheless, says enjoying Farrell could “change the dynamic” within the facet.
“If you’re enjoying towards Owen Farrell at worldwide stage, the place they’re watching and analysing physique language, he would not sq. anyone up,” Dawson advised BBC Rugby Union Day by day.
“When he performed at inside centre with [Ireland fly-half] Jonny Sexton for the British and Irish Lions, he did properly as that second receiver as a result of that they had that little bit extra zip about how they needed to play the sport.
“However for the final 4 years he hasn’t had the zip that definitely Ford or Marcus Smith has.
“The principle purpose why I would not play Farrell is as a result of Ford is operating the present and if he comes again there will likely be a special dynamic.
“We’ve got by no means been in a position to simply speak in regards to the brilliance of Ford. It is all the time the talk of the place Farrell suits in.”
Former England wing Chris Ashton says Ford needs to be England’s quantity 10 in the event that they progress into the knockout levels.
“George really prefers to be sat behind his forwards and name for the ball when he desires it and might organise issues higher, whereas Owen prefers to be sat at 10 flat to the road,” Ashton advised BBC Rugby Union Day by day.
“However that debate is over now. George is our quantity 10.
“He has had two man-of-the-match performances and he has been excellent. He seems comfy on the ball and sees all the things.
“He’s our 10 proper now, which wasn’t the case two weeks in the past after we had been asking who would begin.”
If Farrell is picked at 12, it means England may lose the pace of Joe Marchant in each assault and defence from outdoors centre, with Manu Tuilagi more likely to retain his spot.
Does Smith match into the plans?
As soon as England had worn down Japan, they launched Smith on to the sector to drag the strings towards the tiring opposition within the latter levels.
Smith, who often performs at fly-half for Harlequins, changed Freddie Steward at full-back and instantly added an impetus to the England assault.
Borthwick says having all three gamers with the flexibility to play at 10 demonstrates England’s energy in depth.
“Marcus got here on and was good in that final quarter,” Borthwick mentioned.
“How nice is it that we’ve such unbelievable depth in high quality there? I feel a variety of nations would need the standard we have at 10 and 15.”
Ashton mentioned the bench added a “actual edge in assault”, whereas Dawson thinks Smith is extra invaluable approaching later in matches.
Dawson added: “I’d not put Marcus Smith in as a beginning 15 however there’s nothing incorrect with bringing him on if it’s essential change a recreation up.”
Borthwick will title his crew to face Chile on Friday.
