Are Ford and Farrell the future for England?
Sunday 23 November 2014 11:48, UK
England ended their five-game losing streak with a 28-9 win over Samoa at Twickenham and will go into their last game of the autumn against Australia next weekend with some confidence.
Despite all their off-field problems, Samoa came to play and gave a very good account of themselves. However it was England fly-half George Ford who caught the eye with some excellent touches in his first start – noticeably his 13 points with the boot and his cross-field kick to Anthony Watson that set up a try for Mike Brown.
Sir Clive Woodward, who led England to World Cup victory in 2003, says that Ford must start against Australia next week – with Owen Farrell at 12.
“I think Ford was great tonight," said Woodward. "He was tough, he was fast, and his passing was okay. I know hindsight is a great skill bit I would have loved to have seen Ford play against New Zealand and South Africa.
“There were a lot of things he said in that post-match interview with Will [Greenwood]. He said in the first half that they should have gone for field position and given Samoa nothing to hit – we were asking that up here. So, my first question to young Ford is why didn’t they do that? And how do we make sure it does not happen again?
“But he needs a real run now - with Farrell at 12. That kick to Anthony Watson, Ford said that Farrell was calling it. You want your inside centre calling where the space is – you cannot underestimate the importance of having a really good playmaker, who is used to playing No.10 next to you.
“I was so disappointed they took Farrell off. With twenty minutes to go I would have been getting the message to Ford and Farrell that we should have to score two more tries to beat Australia, so what are you going to do?”
Burrell for Barritt?
Woodward says that while you can always improve a winning team, he would not make that many changes to the team to take on Australia.
“I think you can always change a winning team and my only thing is Brad Barritt at outside centre," he said. "I think he is an inside centre, but I think we need a ball player so, for me, Farrell stays at 12.
“I would be looking seriously at Luther Burrell to come into the 13 channel. I agree with Stuart Lancaster that Anthony Watson looks like the real deal so we have him and May. Mike Brown is not at his best but he was better tonight.
“So I would look at 13 and possibly Dylan Hartley coming back in at hooker but outside that I would leave well alone. That is why I would have left the whole team out there tonight for as long as possible to get them ready for next weekend.
“Let’s be clear, this is a quality Australian team who are coming despite their loss to Ireland today.”
“I think, out of all the four autumn internationals. Australia was always the must-win game because of what is going to happen in the World Cup. If Australia come here next weekend and get a win, then that will be a huge blow to England.
“If England can beat Australia then everything that has happened against New Zealand and South Africa will be forgotten. However, England will have to play better than they have played in any of the games so far to get that win.”
Watch England v Australia, Sat 29th Nov, Sky Sports 2 HD
