England risk derailing Rugby World Cup campaign as Matt Dawson raises concerns

England legend Matt Dawson believes Steve Borthwick will have to consider sticking with George Ford ahead of Owen Farrell when the latter becomes available if there’s a repeat of the Argentina heroics from the Sale Sharks fly-half. Farrell remains suspended for England’s second group game of the World Cup against Japan on Sunday with Ford set to continue as England’s starting fly-half.

He’ll be back available for matches against Chile and Samoa, but Ford may well have made the position his own by that point. Ford kicked 27 points as England upset the odds to defeat Argentina last week, after they reduced to 14 men after just three minutes.

The 30-year-old put on a kicking masterclass as nine points came from impromptu drop-goals. He can help England put one foot into the quarter-finals of the World Cup when they face off against Japan on Sunday.

And another impressive display from Ford will make it tough for Borthwick to drop him for Farrell when he’s back available, according to 2003 World Cup winner Dawson. “If England put in as dominant a performance as they did against Argentina, I think life is going to be very tricky for Steve Borthwick with the selection, because to disrupt that flow in the midfield, which England have craved for decades, would be a big move,” Dawson told the i.

“It would be a big move from the physical nature of the team dynamic, but it will also be quite a big move, and a big decision from the team’s perspective. Because you would be thinking, ‘Well, things are going pretty well, we’re all playing well, we’re winning two games from two’ [and then there is a change].”

Ford was helped by dominant displays from Alex Mitchell and Manu Tuilagi either side of him. Dawson believes the England duo helped provide “clarity” for Ford in what was going to be a tricky game and wants to see Borthwick stick with the 30-year-old if he puts in another impressive display.

Don’t miss…
Rugby World Cup star suffers awful injury as team-mates turn away in horror[LATEST]
Two England Rugby World Cup stars unfairly treated as Steve Borthwick frustrated[LATEST]
England ‘have weaknesses’ as Japan target Rugby World Cup scalp after changes[LATEST]

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

He added: “But ultimately, your fly-half has to dictate the game. And what we saw at the weekend was a George Ford, who had no distractions, was incredibly focused on what he needed to do, even under the pressures of 14 men.

“It was his decision, nobody else’s decision. He didn’t have a Ben Youngs or an Owen Farrell, either side of him, suggesting different ideas. It was just ‘Well, this is how it’s gonna happen’. And I think potentially, it created clarity for his team.

“So as much as it would be an enormous call not to play Owen Farrell, I think the dynamic of 9, 10, 12, 13 or even put No 8 in there as well, is pretty solid. And it’s a really decent, middle third that you’ve got there of the team that England have been clamouring for a long, long time. It’s going to be a big call just to disrupt that.”

Source: Read Full Article