The major England predicament labelled a World Cup ‘death knell’ by analyst
Having three different midfield combinations in four World Cup matches does not cry out cohesiveness and continuity from England.
Owen Farrell’s ban for the first two matches of the tournament has made these unique circumstances, but England’s 10-12-13 trio was hardly regarded as the paragon of consistency leading into the World Cup.
Strangely, England actually opted for their most experienced combination against Samoa at the weekend of George Ford, Farrell and Manu Tuilagi. That triumvirate have played almost 50 Tests together, but it was the first time they had got the old band back together under Steve Borthwick, and it showed in a stuttering display. There were flashes of fluidity, but they were fleeting as England faltered to an 18-17 victory.
The problem for Borthwick is that he is surely none the wiser as to what his best midfield combination should be, but it does leave room for debate among fans and pundits. Retired internationals Bernard Jackman and Jamie Roberts, and Fiji scrum-half Niko Matawalu discussed how England should set-up against Fiji in the quarter-finals in Marseille on Sunday on the Official Rugby World Cup podcast this week, and there is a split in opinion.
Matawalu predicts England to go unchanged against his compatriots, saying: “I think George Ford at 10, 12 I put Owen Farrell and 13 [Manu] Tuilagi. To go physical against Fiji, if they want to win this quarter-final they need a good kicking game and they both have a good kicking game, Farrell and Ford. The physical you have Tuilagi on the side there.”
Roberts conversely thinks England will shift Farrell to fly-half, while Jackman agrees with Matawalu. The Irishman said that the concern is that England are still unsure heading into a World Cup knockout match.
“I think 12 has become the key position,” he said. “If you look at it, Bundee Aki for Ireland, having the ability to be direct and punch holes and get through the defence.
“I think if England go Ford, Farrell and Tuilagi as 13 that is a compromise. 43 games together in that axis and they are still not sure at the quarter-final stage.”
The greatest concern for England is that this is a department of a team that should not be tinkered with at a World Cup, according to former Australia prop turned analyst Ben Darwin.
The Australian is the co-founder of GAIN LINE Analytics, and explained on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod in 2021 that the 10-12-13 axis is one that must not be subject to experimentation during a World Cup.
“One of the things we find, that is basically suicide, is never introduce a centre in World Cups,” the 28-cap former Wallaby said.
“Because 10-12-13 is where the most level of understanding is required and you need people playing in position. That has a really positive impact on performance.
“It just seems to be an absolute death knell because there’s a law of diminishing returns.
“It’s the early stages where the problems lie. So whenever you get relationships in early stages is when you get things going catastrophically wrong, and we see that across so many different sports.
While England are not necessarily introducing someone new into the midfield -the options they have at their disposal all have a fair degree of experience with some having a vast amount- they are at the “early stage” of their relationship together.
Of course, Ford-Farrell-Tuilagi are a settled midfield, but they are not under this coaching team and if Saturday is anything to go by, there did not seem to be a great level of understanding between them.
England go into the quarter-finals with their midfield selection still up for debate, and it is certain that there will not be unanimity among the England fandom as to who should start against Fiji. Perhaps South Africa are the only team that find themselves in that position due to recent call-ups to the squad, and that will be a cause for concern for Borthwick.
Comments on RugbyPass
wel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
4 Go to commentsHard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
4 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
4 Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
5 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
5 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
238 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments