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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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. \u201cIf 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,\u201d Dawson told the i.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt 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\u2019s perspective. Because you would be thinking, \u2018Well, things are going pretty well, we\u2019re all playing well, we\u2019re winning two games from two\u2019 [and then there is a change].\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> 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<\/p>\n He added: \u201cBut 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was his decision, nobody else\u2019s decision. He didn\u2019t have a Ben Youngs or an Owen Farrell, either side of him, suggesting different ideas. It was just \u2018Well, this is how it\u2019s gonna happen\u2019. And I think potentially, it created clarity for his team.<\/p>\n \u201cSo 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\u2019s a really decent, middle third that you\u2019ve got there of the team that England have been clamouring for a long, long time. It\u2019s going to be a big call just to disrupt that.\u201d<\/p>\n
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