I WOULD put Owen Farrell on the bench for England's World Cup quarter-final against Fiji on Sunday.
But I know for certain Steve Borthwick will start him at inside centre and that is a big mistake.
At this stage of the tournament you need to be picking the players in form and in their correct positions. So you would have Joe Marchant at 13 and Manu Tuilagi at 12.
George Ford has played so well at this World Cup, he dictated the play against Argentina, he has to start at 10.
So for me Farrell has to start on the bench.
But it won't happen. He is the captain, and head coach Borthwick is nailed-on with his selection. If he drops him, then the head coach will be admitting he made a mistake in selecting him as skipper in the first place.
I give credit where credit is due. I was not a kicker and I can only imagine the pressure they are under, so for Farrell to pass Jonny Wilkinson's record points tally for England is a remarkable feat and he deserves a pat on the back for that.
And with the boot he has won a shed-load of games for England.
But maybe that kicking success has masked his inability to change up a game with the ball in hand.
He has been one of the best kickers in the game, but has he been one of the best rugby players?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 12, 2023 من Manchester Evening News.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 12, 2023 من Manchester Evening News.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Carsley's gamble backfires as his lopsided England side fail to inspire
LEE Carsley's chances of becoming Gareth Southgate's permanent successor as England boss received a major blow as Greece paid tribute to George Baldock with a historic 2-1 Nations League win.
SQUAD GOALS Right now, United don't have players to score enough
WHEN Erik ten Hag returns to Carrington next week, as he is now expected to do, he will try to find an upturn in performance that could prolong his stay in the United hot seat.
Haaland lends voice to growing fears over fixture list
‘IT'S STARTING TO BECOME AN AWFUL LOT OF MATCHES' ERLING HAALAND
'Predator' raped woman on bus
A 'DANGEROUS sexual predator' raped a vulnerable woman on the top deck of an X43 bus service to Manchester city centre.
Downing Street denies Rayner security 'snub'
ANGELA Rayner has been left out of the permanent membership of the UK's National Security Council (NSC), despite being Deputy Prime Minister.
Kate's hugs and thanks for 999 workers
THE Princess of Wales delivered hugs and a heartfelt \"thank you\" to the emergency workers called to the fatal Southport stabbings after meeting the children's bereaved families.
Milton brings misery
HURRICANE Milton brought misery to a coast still ravaged by Helene as it ploughed into Florida as a Category 3 storm, pounding cities with winds of over 100mph after producing a barrage of 150 tornadoes.
Towering vision of plans for new 44-storey skyscraper
NEW BLOCK WOULD BE OPPOSITE DEANSGATE LOCKS
Rapper Aitch refuses to mind his Ps and Qs
MOSTON MUSICIAN ALWAYS WANTS TO KEEP HIS 'MANCHESTER' SOUND
YouTuber jailed over vile rant outside asylum-seeker hotel
HOMELESS FORMER CHEF STIRRED UP RACIAL HATRED WITH LIVE BROADCAST WITH AUDIENCE OF OVER 30,000