George Ford has to start for England, even if it means a long road back for Farrell

Seniority should go out of the window entirely if England find themselves with a tough selection decision to make between George Ford and Owen Farrell at the Rugby World Cup.

Farrell is Engand's captain but may yet find himself on the bench in the coming weeks.

The Saracens fly-half will miss Sunday's clash with Japan in Nice through suspension, but will be back for the third pool encounter, against Chile.

England's 27-10 win over Argentina on Saturday sets Steve Borthwick's side on course for the quarter-finals.

It is at that stage that head coach Borthwick would face his ultimate decision between Ford and Farrell ... which one is his first choice No 10 when the tournament reaches its do-or-die stage? Ford ran the show against Argentina, scoring all 27 of England's points with three drop-goals and six penalties. The 30-year-old is in stellar form, so a reckoning is waiting down the line once Farrell returns.

Of course, England could revert to the set-up used at the 2019 World Cup in Japan, where they reached the final, by starting Ford at fly-half and Farrell one position outside him at inside centre.