Borthwick explains dropping Smith and naming Farrell as England No10
England boss Steve Borthwick has explained his reason for shelving the 10/12 combination of Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell. The duo had been paired together for the last eight Test matches but the new head coach has decided not to give a partnership that has struggled to properly gel its nine successive start.
Instead, Farrell will wear the No10 shirt versus Italy at Twickenham in Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations round two encounter, with Smith providing cover from the bench. It will be Farrell’s first start as the England out-half since the 2021 Six Nations loss to Scotland, and this huge decision by Borthwick has come following a heated debate about the ongoing merit of starting two out-halves alongside each other.
The likes of Clive Woodward, Lawrence Dallaglio, Stuart Barnes and Andy Goode were amongst those calling for a change to a partnership that was the idea of Eddie Jones. He first named Smith with Farrell together in the November 2021 Autumn Nations Series game versus the Wallabies before ankle injuries to Farrell scuppered its use until the following July.
It was in Australia, across the entire three-Test series, that the 10/12 Smith/Farrell axis was rekindled and it then continued throughout the four-game Autumn Nations Series prior to the dismissal of Jones as the head coach.
Rather than change it up, Borthwick persisted with this tactic, selecting Smith at No10 with Farrell at No12 in last weekend’s championship opener versus Scotland, but defeat in that match has now prompted the major change in tack which was the main focus of his Friday afternoon media briefing.
That press conference followed the announcement of an England team showing three changes in total from round one. Inside centre Ollie Lawrence replaced Smith, with Farrell switching into the No10 vacancy; Henry Slade took the No13 shirt from Joe Marchant, and Jack Willis replaced Ben Curry at openside. Four questions regarding Smith were immediately put to Borthwick about his benching of the out-half. Here is how that conversation unfolded:
Journalist: Why have you decided to go for Owen Farrell over Marcus Smith at 10?
Borthwick: I have decided to change that combination this week. As ever when I pick a team I look at the plan we want to play against a specific opposition and certainly, that is what I have explained to the players, that that’s the way the team will be picked and that is the decision I made the way want to play this week. It’s fantastic to welcome Henry Slade back. He is a player that has played very well, played well for his club [Exeter], has great attributes in the centre there, fantastic left foot which gives us another aspect, another strength to the team. Ollie Lawrence has played really well all season for his club and he is certainly a player on form, so we have got some exciting players there in the centre and that is why I decided to make the change.
Journalist: The fly-half selection, that is a short-term selection just for this game rather than a change in policy?
Borthwick: My policy is always I pick a team for the game we are playing. I have been very clear that every game matters for England. I am not looking to games beyond or aspects in months to come. I focus on this week and that is what I am doing with this team and is something I have said to the team from day one.
Journalist: Do you feel Owen Farrell’s best position is fly-half?
Borthwick: I feel this is a team that is right for this game and I feel blessed that we have got some fantastic fly-halves. Owen’s ability to play 1o/12, Marcus is a player, Fin Smith has been in the squad, George Ford is back on the pitch. We have got some fantastic fly-halves in this country which is brilliant for the competition for places. We want that across the team.
Journalist: How did Marcus Smith take the news because he has made that 10 shirt his own over the last 18 months?
Borthwick: Marcus has been brilliant; every player has been brilliant having the conversation around selection. As a player, I have been in that conversation on the other side of it as well. I have been the one who has received and I remember them – I remember the conversations when you are being told you’re selected, been told you’re captain, been told you’re not selected, you’re on the bench, whatever it may be. I have been in each of those situations and I have empathy for every player in that situation. What I want to build here is a squad with the England team where some players at different times will have a different role to play, but we are all moving towards building a team we want and that is what we want to do this week. We have got a team that I picked and I feel it is the right team for how I want to play against a specific opposition [Italy].
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments