Owen Farrell’s removal from the England selection picture heightens the need for Steve Borthwick to solve the midfield muddle which has hampered the national team for so long.

The choice of No 10 successor is only one part of the equation and the head coach is more likely to opt for George Ford over Marcus Smith. Control and pragmatism will remain bedrocks of the regime. But with the Six Nations starting in less than four weeks, the entire core of England’s back line is in a state of flux and uncertainty.

During the recent World Cup, the centre combination for five of the national team’s seven matches was Manu Tuilagi at 12 and Joe Marchant alongside. Now, Tuilagi is recovering from the umpteenth groin injury of his career, with an uncertain return date, and Marchant is unavailable, while he plays for Stade Francais in Paris. There is no prospect of that flawed policy changing any time soon.

So, England need a new midfield alliance and, crucially, Borthwick won’t have the temptation to turn to the old fall-back option of the two-playmaker model, with Ford at 10 and Farrell at inside centre, as a square peg in a round hole. He reverted to that against Samoa in Lille and England almost came unstuck.

Two bona fide centres will line up side by side. Balance is key, with power and pace, distribution and kicking prowess – not to mention defensive dependability – the broad repertoire which must be fulfilled by the pair.

Steve Borthwick needs to focus on fixing England's midfield after Owen Farrell's exit

Steve Borthwick needs to focus on fixing England's midfield after Owen Farrell's exit

Steve Borthwick needs to focus on fixing England’s midfield after Owen Farrell’s exit

Borthwick needs to find a new midfield alliance that will instill balance in the team

Borthwick needs to find a new midfield alliance that will instill balance in the team

Borthwick needs to find a new midfield alliance that will instill balance in the team

Borthwick should focus on the here-and-now task of launching a decent championship campaign for the first time since 2020, which means rewarding form. That in turn means Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade. Between them, there are enough complementary attributes. Lawrence can punch holes, but also make outside breaks. Slade can kick and pass. He is also highly experienced and motivated. They can both tackle. They are both absolutely flying.

England cannot function as an attacking force if they don’t have fluency in midfield and it has often been a disjointed area for them, for far too long. They can’t just bash, they have to dash too, which is why it makes sense to have the electric Will Joseph ready to be unleashed from the bench, with either Lawrence or Slade capable of working with him against a tiring defence late in the game.

Expect Ford at 10, with Alex Mitchell to continue at scrum-half, given his supreme exploits of late. Lawrence and Slade together in midfield, Freddie Steward at full-back, so that leaves the wings. It’s time to be bold and, again, guided by form. Tommy Freeman on one side and Joe Cokanasiga on the other. And having beaten Wales to the services of Immanual Feyi-Waboso, England should have him in mind for a debut in the near future. There must be space for X-factor. Always.

It seems likely that George Ford will be deployed in the number ten position for England

It seems likely that George Ford will be deployed in the number ten position for England

It seems likely that George Ford will be deployed in the number ten position for England

Northampton show why they’re title contenders 

So, we now know for sure that Northampton have a bucket-load of resilience in adversity, to go with all that flair – which marks them out as genuine Premiership title contenders. They are still top of the league and deserve to be after climbing out of a huge hole at Sandy Park. Managing to snatch a win at the death, away from home, after being 26-0 down with almost half-an-hour gone is quite some feat. It suggests formidable spirit and belief, as a resounding endorsement of the Saints’ young director of rugby, Phil Dowson, and Sam Vesty, who has made them such an attacking threat. The Premiership hangs its hat on fine margins and the table is full of them. 

The title race is wide open, now that Sale – early pace-setters – have been pegged back. Leicester and Bristol are on the rise, Exeter’s rookies are right in the mix and Bath are flying. And don’t discount holders Saracens yet. The last few weeks have brought big crowds, close games and ample entertainment. But with only one more round of Premiership fixtures before late March, let’s hope the positive momentum can be regained then.

Title contenders Northampton have shown that they have much resilience as well as flair

Title contenders Northampton have shown that they have much resilience as well as flair

Title contenders Northampton have shown that they have much resilience as well as flair

England bringing in Andrew Strawbridge is a shrewd move 

This column has never subscribed to the theory that a Kiwi accent automatically guarantees rugby wisdom which is relevant in these parts, but Steve Borthwick appears to have made a shrewd move by bringing in Andrew Strawbridge as a consultant. 

During the recent World Cup, he was part of the All Blacks set-up – with a focus on their skills work and contact area – and they topped the charts for most tournament tries, off-loads and clean breaks. His task will be to help England win quick ball and use it shrewdly. These are priority issues – and have been for some time. New Zealand don’t tend to like losing any ‘intellectual property’ so what England should do is keep Strawbridge on at least until the end of this season, so he can join them on tour in his home land. It would provide vital insight and also act as a glorious wind-up. 

Meanwhile, it is a crying shame that that tour will mark the end of Kevin Sinfield’s stint with the national team. An inspirational figure is being marginalised and lost, amid yet more management upheaval.

Bringing in Andrew Strawbridge as a consultant appears to be a shrewd move by England

Bringing in Andrew Strawbridge as a consultant appears to be a shrewd move by England

Bringing in Andrew Strawbridge as a consultant appears to be a shrewd move by England

Clubs waking up to importance of behind-the-scenes content  

Clubs are belatedly waking up to the potential to generate online interest with varied, behind-the-scenes content. Many are now posting footage of celebration songs and that is a good insight into squad spirit. The sight of players jumping around in their underpants may not be to everyone’s taste, but all such access informs fans about the teams they follow and what makes them tick. 

Even in this era of endless science and analysis, so much of rugby is about emotion and shared bonds, which are perfectly highlighted in the post-match songs. Any clubs that don’t have one should come up with one, pronto. And any other clubs worried about swearing, sort out some strategic beeps and let’s see the players in full voice.

LAST WORD 

Shock news… drum roll… the Lions will unveil Andy Farrell as head coach this week. Sorry to spoil the non-surprise. He is the obvious choice and the right one. Put aside the World Cup heartache late last year – Farrell snr has done a fine job with Ireland and deserves to take charge of the 2025 mission Down Under. Next, there will be speculation about his assistants, then about the other significant position; tour captain. 

With Johnny Sexton and – most likely – Owen Farrell out of the picture, Jac Morgan of Wales could become the front-runner, or even Courtney Lawes, if he maintains his recent form, since retiring from England duty. But ahead of the Lions crusade, the most important appointment of all will be made on the far side of the world. Is there a magician who can revive the Wallabies, to ensure the whole event is not a dismal blow-out? The whole Lions concept needs a blockbuster series to revive it after the hollow, Covid-era tour of South Africa, but Australian rugby is in a state of sustained, possibly terminal disarray and apathy. Sadly, it may already be too late to save it.

The Lions are set to unveil Andy Farrell as coach - he is the obvious choice and the right one

The Lions are set to unveil Andy Farrell as coach - he is the obvious choice and the right one

The Lions are set to unveil Andy Farrell as coach – he is the obvious choice and the right one

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