Borthwick has to ditch the Smith/Farrell axis - Andy Goode
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results and Steve Borthwick has to ditch the Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell combination this week.
Eddie Jones hung his hat on the axis in the latter part of his reign but they’ve won just four of the nine Tests they’ve started alongside one another, most of which have been at Twickenham, and there just aren’t enough signs that suggest it can work.
In fact, it’s the exact opposite and, while there are always going to be flashes of quality, there are far more examples of one or other looking completely lost and I’m not sure how anybody can make the case that they dovetail well.
Ironically, the best bit of play England produced in attack for Max Malins’ second try didn’t involve either Smith or Farrell and we need to be seeing so much more from them because there’s no doubt in my mind that Kevin Sinfield’s job as defence coach is harder with them both there.
Farrell was at fault for the first try when he flew out of the line to try to get Finn Russell, who wasn’t his man, and then he and Joe Marchant just stood there after the initial kick chase for Duhan van der Merwe’s wonder try.
This isn’t a criticism of Farrell’s defence, though, because we all know he can defend but he just isn’t comfortable with the role and it’s as clear as day to me that Farrell is not a number 12 with the way the game is being played at the moment.
He’s a fly half, that’s where he plays for his club and that’s where he should play for his country. Of course, he is capable of playing centre but I don’t think he’s had a really top drawer game in the position in this World Cup cycle.
Farrell is never going to say it publicly but I would hope he’s having honest conversations with the coaches behind the scenes and telling them he believes he should have the number 10 on his back.
He would be so much more comfortable there, there’s no doubt he wants to play there and if he’s the character that we all think he is, then I don’t see any issue with him challenging the coaches and I’d expect him to be doing so as long as it’s in the right manner.
It’s not that it can never work playing two fly halves together, and it did work a bit better with George Ford and Farrell for a while because of the relationship they’ve had from an early age and because Ford is happy for Farrell to take the lead.
However, France tried it and scrapped it pretty quickly with Matthieu Jalibert and Romain Ntamack recently and it’s just so difficult with the personalities that these players often are and the fact they’re used to being the fulcrum at their clubs and then end up playing a bit part at times during games.
You see it a lot with Smith where he wants to be taking the lead but Farrell has stepped in and he’s never really stood in the 12 channel before and there are endless examples of him or Farrell looking uncomfortable in phase attack, whereas Russell was martialling his troops around the field and looking happy going through his options.
It might not have been at the same level but I had it with Sam Vesty at Leicester a little bit and Joe Carlisle at Worcester and it just didn’t work. We were both playing as a fly half and you need the clarity of one person leading from that position.
Clarity was one of the watchwords for the England coaching staff in the build-up to the game against Scotland and Borthwick has spoken a lot about playing to players’ strengths so I think he has to back those words up with actions this week.
There is no way that this is playing to either Smith or Farrell’s strengths and, while there are injuries with the likes of Dan Kelly and Henry Slade out, there are natural options at centre ready and raring to go.
I’d go with Ollie Lawrence because he was on the bench on Saturday so is the next cab off the rank, and only got four minutes to prove himself at the end, and bring Manu Tuilagi back in among the replacements.
England had 57% of the possession and an enormous 71% territory but they had just 2 linebreaks. They did score three tries but from 11 visits to the opposition 22 and it was like they were attacking with 14 a lot of the time because one of Smith or Farrell looked so lost.
As well as there being greater clarity in attack, it’d have a massive impact on England’s defence and Sinfield’s job this week to have a natural centre wearing number 12.
You can’t say it cost England the game but it had a major impact on a couple of the tries conceded and people can say that it’s just a case of defending one position out but Farrell doesn’t do that week in, week out and it makes a huge difference.
Watching what Italy did to France on Sunday, England can’t afford to persist with an experiment that so far just hasn’t borne fruit and they just haven’t worked in tandem thus far.
Farrell looked good at times when he was at first receiver and he is the most in-form of the two players, while Borthwick has also boxed himself into a corner to some extent by naming him captain, so the Saracens man should be the one to get the nod at fly half.
They say a cat has nine lives and Smith and Farrell have used up their nine lives together at international level for me, giving them a 10th Test in unison and expecting dramatically different results going forwards would be the definition of madness.
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments