FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 4:08 pm
Spiffy wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 3:41 pm
The bottom line of all of these endless discussions on chips, grubbers, box kicks, handling, running, game plan etc....... Will Borthwick EVER have the balls to drop Farrell from the 23. If ever a single person were holding back an entire team from reaching its potential, he's yer man.
Everyone can see it except the coach.
It actually does not matter that much at present who would replace him. It's the more urgent process of just trimming off the bad bits.
He is the old handbrake for the attack but I've little faith in Smith either after his 20 appearances so far. The options outside of those two are either younger than Marcus or just players repeatedly overlooked for international selection previously for obvious reasons.
England haven't exactly produced a glut of flyhalfs previously. Basically we're stuck with the two we have unless Ford demonstrates he's full fit at the weekend.
I think that is a bit hard on Smith since practically all his caps have been beside Farrell, the inhibitory senior partner. And he has frequently been forced into playing a game that is not his natural one. I think it would be fair enough to give Smith a run at 10 with, say, Lawrence and Slade in midfield, to see what he can do in the absence of Farrell. The England /Italy game was crying out for the obvious substitution of Farrell by Smith. But what does Borthwick do - move Farrell to 12!
With regard to other contenders, Ford is the obvious one and the best but is chronically short of match time. But in the short term, players like Furbank, Atkinson, Simmons, Bailey, even Max Malins could probably do a holding job. I'm quite impressed by Malins' rugby intelligence and he has good ball skills and adequate gas. Quite surprised that no clubs have gone after him as a FH, he has experience in the slot.
I know it's probably a bit churlish to say so, but I'd prefer to see almost anyone who can pass and kick a ball, and who has a modicum of attacking intent, play ahead of Farrell. This guy is holding the team back.