Critics focus too much on my partnership with Marcus, says Farrell

Sinfield impressed by returning Willis

- Nick Purewal

OWEN FARRELL has admitted his surprise at the strength of criticism surrounding his midfield partnership with Marcus Smith.

Calls have grown for new head coach Steve Borthwick to choose one of Farrell or Smith at fly-half, and sit the other on England's bench.

Borthwick has been determined to drive on with the Smith-Farrell 10-12 axis, however, with dual playmakers deemed the way forward for the new England era.

Asked if he has been surprised by calls to split up his developing partnership with Smith, England captain Farrell searched for a diplomatic response.

"Usually when something - I'm trying to say this in the right way - yes!

"I understand, we're talking about attack, we're talking about two people who are trying to help control that attack, I guess.

"But we've had it every which way we've attacked well, and we've attacked not so well. So, we've had all the combinations, really, and we're just looking to make sure that, as a team, we're getting better, and that we're looking at how we can be at our best.

"I think people make too much of a deal of it. It's probably the bigger picture we should be looking at more, but I understand that it's what people look at.