Woodward verdict on what ban means for Farrell's England captaincy

Former England coach Clive Woodward has assessed what the four-game ban for Owen Farrell means for his captaincy of Steve Borthwick’s squad at the Rugby World Cup.

Last week’s original free-to-play-on disciplinary hearing verdict after his red card versus Wales was appealed by World Rugby and it emerged on Tuesday night that Farrell must now miss four matches – two Summer Nations Series fixtures and the Rugby World Cup pool clashes with Argentina and Japan.  

The outcome leaves England going into battle minus their first-choice out-half, a situation that Woodward has run the rule over in his latest Sportsmail column. He reckoned if the ban was any longer, he would have questioned Farrell keeping the captaincy for the World Cup.  

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However, he believes there is now no need for change and that George Ford is in pole position to wear the No10 England shirt in the first two rounds in France.    

Woodward wrote: “Owen Farrell’s ban of four matches was confirmed on Tuesday night and it was the correct outcome… England’s captain will miss the first two games of the World Cup against Argentina and Japan. 

“The four-match ban includes last weekend’s warm-up defeat by Ireland – rightly, in my opinion – so Farrell won’t be able to play in the final preparation game against Fiji and the early stages of the tournament in France.  

“But he undoubtedly still has a key role to play for England. He must still go to the World Cup as skipper. Had he been banned for six weeks, I might have had a different view. In all likelihood, he will also come straight back into the team when available. 

“For now, Steve Borthwick must reserve his judgment on that, as either George Ford or Marcus Smith might have lift-off in the early stages of the competition. And as an international head coach, you must take things one game at a time. 

“I have consistently maintained that the game against the Pumas will define England’s World Cup campaign, so to be without one of his best players is a massive, massive blow to Borthwick.

“It is a big ask for Smith to start at No 10 in the Argentina match. But whether Borthwick goes for him or Ford, it is a big opportunity for either of them to impress and lay down a marker. 

“I would still imagine Borthwick will opt for Ford given he is a big fan of his ability and the two worked together to win the Premiership with Leicester… England should still be good enough to beat Argentina with either Ford or Smith at 10. I’m not saying that’s a guarantee, however. Far from it actually – Argentina are a very dangerous side.” 

• Click here to read the latest Clive Woodward Sportsmail column in full