Comments on: Farrell could be the answer at centre – but he isn’t right now

By: antony cutler

antony cutler — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 11:01:23 +0000

Where does continuity fit in all this?
This in effect is Ford’s first game for England.Surely with Watson on the wing it would have made sense to pair Barritt with Joseph?
Then you have a nice axis of Bath teammates in the backs. Barritt is the best defensive midfielder in the current set up while JJ would give pace and penetration, all orchestrated by his club mate in the 10 shirt.

I don’t want to indulge in hyperbole but SHOULD England come unstuck this weekend,where does that leave Lancaster?

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 17:47:50 +0000

If Farrell is the answer I have no idea what the question is …

Yes he played well in the 6N (but was appalling in the Autumn) and I’m completely convinced the improvement in the 6N was largely down to being outside a 9 on top form who was calling a lot of the plays and taking a lot of the decision making responsibility. Care is now out of form and Farrell is back to where he was before.

Clearly he’s not without his attributes, but at 10 (or 12) we really need someone who can challenge the gainline and it’s not Farrell.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 17:39:34 +0000

He’ll willingly truck to ball up to the advantage line all day ….. but rarely make much of a dent in it as he’s not got the pace, power or agility at this level.

…. and whilst his distribution may be a bit better than he gets credit for, the reason for picking him is never going to be his passing.

By: Pablito

Pablito — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 16:10:10 +0000

Very good and very true!

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 15:32:20 +0000

100% this. That would be a sight to see.

By: Blub

Blub — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 15:12:06 +0000

Good work Benjit.

I would add though, that if all were judged on their last outing, Ford wouldn’t have to do much to surpass Carter.

By: Blub

Blub — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 15:10:44 +0000

I don’t believe that Barritt is a good option at 13.

However, I do think that his distribution is decent, and vastly under-rated.

Whilst it was quite one dimensional (not his fault), I also think that he “boshed” quite effectively on saturday against SA.

By: Blub

Blub — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 15:07:08 +0000

Agreed Mike. I don’t recall JJ ever being found wanting at International level.

I do recall however that after he lost his England place, got injured, then returned, he was quite ordinary for Bath. However that sort of form does seem to be behind him again, so I do believe he is genuinely one to consider at 13.

He did, incidentally, play in the same U20’s team as Ford, Farrell and Daly, occasionally on the wing.

By: Pete Cresswell

Pete Cresswell — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 14:46:33 +0000

I thought Burrell was Saints’ best back against Exeter at the weekend – granted the rest of them were ordinary, but he made some decent breaks. Would definitely have involved him

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 14:43:47 +0000

almost laughed out loud in the office at that

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 14:21:09 +0000

Not sure what you are basing that judgement of Joseph on. Admittedly he dd not set the world alight against Argentina, but that was also a period when his club form was not exactly scintillating. Previous to that he had 4 caps against SA and New Zealand (1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses).

Given current for he would be my choice for 13. He can work on developing his distribution and defence, but I think he has the potential to develop into a player like Conrad Smith. Not the most physical, but just glides through gaps and solid in the tackle.

Slade is also this type of player.

If you looked in future to play tuilagi at 12 they would be perfect with him.

By: Henry

Henry — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 14:04:38 +0000

Haha to be honest I think that is a fair judgement!