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?
Bu hikaye Manchester Evening News dergisinin October 12, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Manchester Evening News dergisinin October 12, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Suspect 'known to victim' as two dead in stabbing
POLICE DESCRIBE DOUBLE KILLING AS 'ISOLATED' AS THEY REASSURE SHOCKED COMMUNITY
Red dawn as boss Amorim takes training
RUBEN Amorim will take training as United head coach for the first time today after his visa to officially start work in the role was approved.
Lollipop man Barry has job he'll stick at
A LOLLIPOP man has become the fifth member of his family to take on the job.
STAR-STUDDED GALA RAISES RECORD SUM TO AID CHILDREN
MOVIE stars joined TV favourites and football legends in Manchester at the city's biggest fundraising ball for another record-breaking night.
Why Reds should Let Leny sink or swim at Ipswich
'THERE IS NO REASON TO EASE YORO INTO ACTION'
Player audit shows need for squad 'surgery' in January
CITY LOOK A PLAYER SHORT IN DEFENCE, MIDFIELD AND ATTACK
I didn't make it at City but now I'm worth £83m
FORMER RIGHT-BACK REECE WABARA SHOWED FLAIR AT ETIHAD ACADEMY BUT EVEN MORE AS A BUSINESSMAN IN FASHION
Rory's World best wins the race again
RORY McIlroy finished the 2024 season in style by adding his third DP World Tour Championship win after winning the sixth Race to Dubai title of his career.
Carsley signs off in style with rout against Ireland
INTERIM boss Lee Carsley signed off in style as England capitalised on Liam Scales' sending off in a 5-0 thrashing of the Republic of Ireland that sealed promotion back to the Nations League top tier.
Bizet's maiden goal helps Reds end run
CELIN Bizet scored her maiden United goal to help them break their three-match winless run with a 2-0 victory over Leicester in the Women's Super League.
