Toby Flood wants George Ford to start, queries Ben Earl's weight
Former England out-half Toby Flood has given his verdict on the George Ford-Marcus Smith selection dilemma Steve Borthwick is facing ahead of this Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland, adding that he isn’t a fan of selecting Ben Earl at No8.
Having missed the three February games against Italy, Wales and Scotland due to injury, Smith has this week pitched up fit and is available for selection to face the Irish. His return to rude health is timely given the difficulties Ford encountered as the England No10 in the 21-30 round three loss away to the Scots.
However, Flood reckoned Borthwick should stick with Ford to start against Ireland rather than omit the player who was England’s first-choice out-half last month.
Speaking to Lucky Block, Flood said: “George didn’t have a great game in Scotland, but it is difficult for a fly-half when your team is turning over the ball that many times.
“You can’t control the rhythm and the tempo of the game because it is so stop-start and you are gifting the opposition possession. Marcus is someone who could come back, but George has done enough in the World Cup and since to keep his place.
“Marcus is likely to be ring-rusty, a bit like Ollie Lawrence, and when it comes to Ireland could you throw him at the deep end? I’m not so sure. But to have Marcus back around the squad is something that will excite because he does bring something unique in terms of what England can offer.”
Switching to No8, the position that Earl has made his own after Borthwick axed Alex Dombrandt, England’s 2023 Six Nations starter, for the World Cup and then overlooked Billy Vunipola after he failed to fire. “When Earl carries, he does well and beats the first defender,” explained Flood.
“But he doesn’t have that attritional bulk you are looking for in a traditional No8. He has speed, power and dynamism but doesn’t have the weight to go with it. But who do you bring in? Dombrandt has played but not well enough to keep hold of that shirt. You can’t keep going back to Billy Vunipola.
“Steve’s problem is there is no stand-out player. (Zach) Mercer has looked good for Gloucester but what Earl did at the World Cup gives him credit. England do not have a highly attritional No8. They have lots of similar types of players. There is no clear answer.
“It is unlikely Borthwick, with his conservative nature, will change anything much but it’s right that people are questioning England’s (back row) balance because with all their capabilities and resources with the number of players they have, they should be better but they are dysfunctional.”
One newcomer who has immensely impressed Flood is Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. He now wants the try-scoring replacement against the Scots to be chosen for a first Test start.
“Immanuel Feyi-Waboso looked exceptional when he came on and he might well come in ahead of Elliot Daly. What is the worst thing that can happen?
“England need to roll the dice in the setup. Why not start with Tommy Freeman and Feyi-Waboso on the wings? I know that would take out a huge amount of experience, but Feyi-Waboso is someone who you really want to expose at the highest level.
“You have a bit of a rough diamond there who could change the game. You need that against Ireland because if you go toe to toe with them and try to out-muscle them and outplay them you are going to lose. But if you try and break the game open there is a chance you can expose them.
“When England were chasing the game against Scotland and they needed to play, they still went back to box kicking from inside the Scottish half. There was that resistance to play.
“I do worry that will be part of Steve’s decision-making against Ireland. At some stage, you have to throw caution to the wind and go and find out who else is out there and what they could do.
“There is a chance to change it up a little bit and see what happens. Ultimately, England cannot win the Six Nations now. Why not go out and see if they can play and put them in a situation in which they will test their mettle?”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments