Time for Marcus and Ben to link up

THERE’S speculation that Alex Mitchell and George Ford are unlikely to feature for England in the early stages of the autumn internationals due to injuries, but usually you would look at the team that finished the last game for nearly all the starters.

- JEREMY GUSCOTT

Or, you would if it had gone well, and, despite losing both summer Tests in New Zealand narrowly, head coach Steve Borthwick’s side still appeared to be on an upward curve.

There might be a few players whose form could force their way into Borthwick’s plans, but overall Mitchell and Ford at 9-10 would probably still be at the forefront of his mind, if fit, because they are such established players in his set-up. The reality is that most coaches like stability in selection, even if we as fans don’t always feel the same way.

Borthwick had a chance to clean out the shop when he came into the England job, but instead he backed Owen Farrell, making him central to the team by appointing him captain. However, Farrell’s move to Paris has made the decision for him when it comes to switching his focus to other players.

Although Ford’s quad injury is now not as serious as it first appeared, if I was Marcus Smith and was left out of the starting line-up because George was rushed back, I would question the decision. This is mostly because it would indicate that Ford is Borthwick’s preferred fly-half for the 2027 World Cup.

The England head coach has a difficult dilemma with three talented fly-halves like Ford, Marcus Smith, and Fin Smith, to consider. It is made harder because Marcus has played well, and the idea of bedding-in the team continued in New Zealand with him at 10, after Ford was ruled out of the tour with an Achilles injury.

I can’t see why Borthwick would drop the Harlequins fly-half now. Performance is measured on consistency and quality, and Marcus Smith is the man in possession and has been playing well.