MIKE BROWN: Ford vs Farrell final is a trial for the World Cup…. and that’s bad news for Smith

Next weekend’s duel between George Ford and Owen Farrell is as close as we will get to a trial for England’s No 10 jersey at the World Cup.

It deserves its billing as a headline match-up because how well they play determines how well their team plays. They have such a big impact on everyone around them.

The way Ford has returned from injury is bad news for Marcus Smith because he has probably slipped down to third in the pecking order. Steve Borthwick will want his England players to be playing in the big games and having an impact on the big games. 

That’s what Ford and Farrell have done in recent weeks, dictating their semi-finals, and that has not happened for Smith this season.

Ford looks fresh and sharp. Before Leicester’s semi-final against Sale last week, so much of our preparation work revolved around Ford. The way he draws defenders onto him and puts players into space is exceptional. 

Owen Farrell (L) and George Ford (R)  have had a big impact in big games in recent weeks

That starts way before the game. He does so much work behind the scenes. He has everyone well drilled, knowing exactly where they should be standing and running. Just like a quarterback. 

He did that during my time with England, running the attack while Farrell looked after the defence.

Ford has always been seen as the sharpest attacker but Farrell has taken that side of his game to another level this season. He has taken hold of the attack at Saracens and really layered onto it. They’re no longer boring Sarries.

The pair have similar styles with the ball in hand, creating rugby league shapes around them and putting people into holes. Kicking-wise, Ford is good at manipulating the backfield so he can kick into space. He shapes one way but kicks another. He finds a split second when there is a disconnect between the frontline and the backfield and he exposes it.

Where Farrell excels is with his little kicks through to score. They’ve been effective for Saracens this season. Both are masters at the structured game, reflected in the way Sale and Saracens play, and that suits Borthwick’s style.

Smith is an off-the-cuff player, styled in the Harlequins mould. Coming to Leicester, it’s clear to see Borthwick’s style. There’s a lot of focus on kicking metres and at Harlequins we never spoke about that. 

Smith is great at the unstructured game, beating players with his goosestep, but England don’t have time to develop an expansive game for the World Cup. They tried it in the Six Nations and it didn’t materialise.

Instead, they’re probably going to be abrasive, direct and physical, especially in the opening game against Argentina. I can see Ben Youngs at No 9 because he’s the best at game management, with Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence providing the punch in midfield.

Steve Borthwick has a plethora of quality options at No 10 ahead of the World Cup later in 2023

Harlequins star Marcus Smith has probably slipped down to third in the pecking order

As things stand, Farrell’s the guy in charge of the No 10 shirt but Ford has the perfect platform to make a statement at Twickenham. If Sale win, Ford will no doubt be instrumental and that will make him hard to overlook.

I think Saracens will be too strong. Sale have a lot of young lads early in their development. Both teams have a good structured game but Saracens have the edge when the game gets unstructured.

 Finals are won and lost on big moments and Saracens have the big moment players like Farrell, Ben Earl, Max Malins and Nick Tompkins. I’m backing them to win by 10 points.

My England backline: Youngs, Farrell; Malins, Tuilagi, Lawrence, Watson; Steward.