Thursday 23 October 2014 07:37, UK
England head coach Stuart Lancaster has opted for consistency over “flash stuff” with his fly-half selections for the QBE Series internationals next month.
Lancaster overlooked the likes of Danny Cipriani and Freddie Burns in his 33-man squad for the Twickenham Test matches against New Zealand, South Africa, Samoa and Australia.
Game management is one of the key things that we look for in our fly-halves
Owen Farrell, George Ford and Stephen Myler will compete for the No 10 jersey despite Burns and Cipriani both impressing during the three-Test tour of New Zealand in June.
But Lancaster insists the game management of his fly-halves is a major priority, and he wants his contenders to use England legend Jonny Wilkinson as a prime example of how to succeed at the highest level.
"To be the best it's not about the flash stuff, it's actually about skill execution and everything done at a very high level," Lancaster said.
"If we take Jonny Wilkinson as the benchmark, he didn't get everything right all the time and it wasn't always flash, but he was incredibly consistent in everything he did.
"Game management is one of the key things that we look for in our fly-halves. There's the ability to execute an accurate kicking game to relieve pressure.
"Goal kicking is a key area, as is defence and the ability to stop on the gain line. These are all parts of the jigsaw we look at, as well as the bits of magic that all players do.
"There's a package really that we need to see, not just from Danny but from all the players.
"Some players have had standout games. It's then backing that up, that standout game, with another."
Farrell's excellent temperament and goalkicking have made him favourite to start as England’s fly-half at next year’s World Cup, although Lancaster revealed he could move to inside centre to get Ford involved.
The Saracens star has made only one start for his club this season before being sidelined by a thigh strain, returning as a late replacement in last weekend’s clash against Clermont Auvergne.
Farrell is expected to play a more prominent role in Friday’s Champions Cup fixture against Munster, and Lancaster believes he will be ready to take on the All Blacks at headquarters on November 8.
"I trust Owen. He's diligent and does his preparation and work-ons. He'll be ready," Lancaster said.
The England boss also hinted that his midfield will be spearheaded by Kyle Eastmond and Brad Barritt with Manu Tuilagi absent through injury.
"Brad's the best defensive centre in the Aviva Premiership, there's no doubt about that," he added.
"He can defend equally well in either position and probably even more effectively at 13. That's a key defensive position.
"The way Kyle Eastmond has bounced back from the third Test in New Zealand has been exceptional.
"For me he's been the best attacking inside centre this season. What he's shown is his ability to take the ball to the line and make good decisions off the back of it.
"It's made us sit up and take notice in terms of his potential to start against the All Blacks."
Leicester have ruled Tuilagi out of all four Tests because of his groin injury, although England remain hopeful that he could feature against Samoa or Australia.
Lancaster is confident that wings Marland Yarde and Semesa Rokoduguni will supply the firepower in Tuilagi’s absence, adding: "When you lose Manu, what are you going to need?
“You are going to need punch in the backline. And Marland and Roko seem to be the guys who can give us that."
