MIKE BROWN: Ford vs Farrell final is a trial for the World Cup…. and that’s bad news for Smith

Subsequent weekend’s duel between George Ford and Owen Farrell is as shut as we’ll get to a trial for England’s No 10 jersey on the World Cup.

It deserves its billing as a headline match-up as a result of how properly they play determines how properly their crew performs. They’ve such a huge impact on everybody round them.

The best way Ford has returned from damage is dangerous information for Marcus Smith as a result of he has most likely slipped down to 3rd within the pecking order. Steve Borthwick will need his England gamers to be taking part in within the large video games and having an influence on the large video games. 

That’s what Ford and Farrell have accomplished in current weeks, dictating their semi-finals, and that has not occurred for Smith this season.

Ford seems to be contemporary and sharp. Earlier than Leicester’s semi-final in opposition to Sale final week, a lot of our preparation work revolved round Ford. The best way he attracts defenders onto him and places gamers into area is outstanding. 

Owen Farrell (L) and George Ford (R)  have had a huge impact in large video games in current weeks

That begins method earlier than the sport. He does a lot work behind the scenes. He has everybody properly drilled, understanding precisely the place they need to be standing and operating. Identical to a quarterback. 

He did that in my time with England, operating the assault whereas Farrell sorted the defence.

Ford has at all times been seen because the sharpest attacker however Farrell has taken that aspect of his sport to a different degree this season. He has taken maintain of the assault at Saracens and actually layered onto it. They’re now not boring Sarries.

The pair have related kinds with the ball in hand, creating rugby league shapes round them and placing individuals into holes. Kicking-wise, Ford is nice at manipulating the backfield so he can kick into area. He shapes a method however kicks one other. He finds a break up second when there’s a disconnect between the frontline and the backfield and he exposes it.

The place Farrell excels is together with his little kicks via to attain. They’ve been efficient for Saracens this season. Each are masters on the structured sport, mirrored in the best way Sale and Saracens play, and that fits Borthwick’s fashion.

Smith is a casual participant, styled within the Harlequins mould. Coming to Leicester, it’s clear to see Borthwick’s fashion. There’s plenty of deal with kicking metres and at Harlequins we by no means spoke about that. 

Smith is nice on the unstructured sport, beating gamers together with his goosestep, however England don’t have time to develop an expansive sport for the World Cup. They tried it within the Six Nations and it didn’t materialise.

As a substitute, they’re most likely going to be abrasive, direct and bodily, particularly within the opening sport in opposition to Argentina. I can see Ben Youngs at No 9 as a result of he’s one of the best at sport administration, with Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence offering the punch in midfield.

Steve Borthwick has a plethora of high quality choices at No 10 forward of the World Cup later in 2023

Harlequins star Marcus Smith has most likely slipped down to 3rd within the pecking order

As issues stand, Farrell’s the man in command of the No 10 shirt however Ford has the proper platform to make a press release at Twickenham. If Sale win, Ford will little doubt be instrumental and that can make him arduous to miss.

I believe Saracens will probably be too sturdy. Sale have plenty of younger lads early of their growth. Each groups have a great structured sport however Saracens have the sting when the sport will get unstructured.

 Finals are gained and misplaced on large moments and Saracens have the large second gamers like Farrell, Ben Earl, Max Malins and Nick Tompkins. I’m backing them to win by 10 factors.

My England backline: Youngs, Farrell; Malins, Tuilagi, Lawrence, Watson; Steward.