In World Cup knockout rugby you cannot be afraid to make big calls as a head coach because it’s do-or-die and there is no point having regrets.
If you are left thinking what might have been, then it’s already too late because you are on the plane home. Steve Borthwick has made big calls by opting for Marcus Smith at full back in his England team for Sunday’s quarter-final with Fiji and moving Owen Farrell back to No 10.
I applaud him for that. We will soon find out the wisdom of his selections. Borthwick had to make changes on the back of the Samoa game because although England won — and I’m still not sure how — the performance was awful. It’s harsh on George Ford for him to be dropped to the bench because he has been magnificent in France.
Freddie Steward must also be wondering what on earth has happened, but that is international sport. Ford and Steward both strike me as great characters so I think they will react positively.
I’ve said it until I’m blue in the face that Farrell is a fly-half, not a centre. There is a world of difference between the two. Eddie Jones and now Borthwick have picked Farrell at 12 and it has left him wide open to criticism.
Owen Farrell is set to start at No 10 this weekend after being backed by head coach Steve Borthwick
This means that George Ford (right) will drop to the bench, and he can consider himself unlucky after starring at the start of the World Cup in Farrell’s absence
Farrell is under pressure to perform, but Mail Sport columnist Sir Clive Woodward expects him to step up when he’s needed most
Farrell is world class at 10 and it’s right he starts there for England. He never wears No 12 for Saracens.
The big question for Borthwick is whether or not he thinks Farrell is the best No 10 in the England squad right now. Only he will know that. But Farrell’s selection for Fiji clearly tells me that in Borthwick’s eyes, he is.
Whoever starts at fly-half will not be the difference between winning and losing this weekend. What will be the difference is the tactics England employ. I’m a big fan of Farrell at his best. But I don’t think he has been at that level at the World Cup so far, predominantly because his suspension meant he is still lacking minutes. Playing him at 12 has also not helped him one jot.
Farrell looked rusty against Chile and Samoa but there is no doubt he is a big game player and I expect him to be much improved against Fiji.
I’m sure he won’t like this, but I actually feel sorry for Farrell. Because he is physically imposing for a fly-half, he gets moved too easily away from No 10. He has taken a lot of negative feedback from fans which he doesn’t deserve.
Yes, Farrell hasn’t been on top form in France so far. And I can understand why some supporters are surprised Ford has been left out. But let’s not forget everything Farrell has achieved. He is the captain and the team’s go-to player, their guiding light.
When I started my playing career it was at fly-half and later on, I got moved to centre simply because the other fly-halves were a lot smaller and that’s where I ended up staying for England and the Lions. I regret that now. I should have been stronger and insisted on remaining at fly-half.
I just hope we have seen the last of Farrell at 12. I don’t think Farrell minds where he plays which says a lot about him as a character, but he was out of sorts against Samoa. His and the team’s performance was summed up by the incident when he ran out of time kicking for goal.
Taking charge of the team at No 10 will do Farrell the world of good. Him moving back there also allows Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant to play in their best positions.
Marcus Smith is a natural fly-half, but deserves credit for how quickly he has adapted to playing at full back
Smith’s best position is at fly half. But he deserves credit for the way he has forced himself into the side at full back. There can be no denying he has made an impact there.
Borthwick is prepared to go with Smith at 15 against Fiji and drop Steward, knowing the Pacific Islanders aren’t the sort of team who will test or expose him hugely through their kicking game. I expect England to beat Fiji. If they do and make a semi-final, then I’m not sure we’ll see Smith starting at full back. But that is not a concern for now.
England have to focus on Fiji alone. At World Cups, it’s game by game. England have won four from four and need to make it five from five.
On the whole, the team still isn’t quick enough for me — even if it should be good enough to beat Fiji. I still don’t understand why Henry Arundell can’t get a game.
To me, it’s absolute madness. What a waste it is to have a player of Arundell’s undoubted quality carrying the water. I would have him at full back alongside a couple of the flyers who did not even make the trip. Overall, from one to 15, this is not a fast enough team to win a World Cup.
Farrell has been below his best form, but brings leadership qualities that will be needed this weekend
England were awful against Fiji in August as they suffered humiliation at Twickenham. A few months on they are a better side, but still so far off being world-beaters.
It’s a cliche but it’s difficult to know what to expect from Fiji. They were brilliant in their first three games and I thought the inconsistency that had characterised their games in the past had disappeared. Then they went and lost to Portugal! England need to prey on that semblance of doubt.
It will be key for Borthwick’s men to get an early lead and make Fiji chase the game.
If they can do that, I’d expect England to take control and make the semi-finals with something to spare. The alternative isn’t worth contemplating!
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