Owen Farrell

It is very difficult to see how this happens with the conservative Owen Farrell calling the shots as fly half and captain.

[Dan Cole](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/dan-cole/) and the selection (and old-style non-substitution of Jamie George) has shored up the setpiece. It may just be that by also making their fly half and senior player captain England have created a less-than-healthy environment with one overly-dominant voice that suffocates those around him. England almost won the 1991 World Cup with a forward pack and good kicking game, but a repeat performance is surely now impossible given the nature of the modern game. Most relevantly, both only kick away possession in their opponent’s half as an absolute last resort, instead instinctively preferring to go through the phases with ball in hand. While recent stats may suggest otherwise, neither is as reliable from the kicking tee under pressure, not as defensively able as Farrell (not withstanding concerns about his rugby league style high shots). [Jack Willis](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/jack-willis/) and [Ollie Chessum](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/oliver-chessum/), the return of [Ben Earl](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/ben-earl/) and the guaranteed presence when fit of [Tom Curry](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/tom-curry/) means Lawes is not currently a guaranteed starter. The new boss certainly has plenty on his ‘to do’ list and only limited match time before the World Cup in which to tackle it. Regardless of how England fare during March or at France 2023, he should therefore be guaranteed a good run in the head coach role. Reportedly, his behind-the-scenes staff find the former Bath and Saracens lock a likeable figure who has plenty of time for everyone. [Ellis Genge](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/ellis-genge/) very much part of the first XV, Borthwick also knows a replacement leader is close at hand and in the interests of being competitive in France the Farrell situation is a nettle which England’s new boss surely must grasp. In addition, the presence of [Alex Dombrandt](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/alex-dombrandt/), [Lewis Ludlam](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/lewis-ludlam/) and [Ollie Lawrence](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/ollie-lawrence/) has brought a gain-line threat and by putting England more regularly on the front foot shrunk their breakdown penalty count. [Elliot Daly](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/elliot-daly/) or – if he can rediscover form – [Henry Slade](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/henry-slade/), both of Borthwick’s alternative options bring attacking flair and an ability to unlock defences by playing flat to the gain-line and putting teammates into space with well-timed sleight of hand.