Owen Farrell, once the linchpin of England's rugby machine, finds himself on the sidelines this Autumn Nations Series, and according to ex-England fly-half Andy Goode, it's a logical move. With Farrell's game time sparse post his stint in French rugby and following an injury-riddled season, his omission allows new talents to step into the limelight under Steve Borthwick's regime.
Farrell's absence, while notable, isn't causing the stir it once might have. After a hiatus from international play and a return to Saracens, Farrell has expressed a desire to simply enjoy his rugby, a sentiment Borthwick echoed. "Owen has gone out quite publicly and said a number of times that for right now, it’s just to get back to playing rugby back in England, enjoying his rugby after a difficult year injury-wise last season," Borthwick shared with Sky Sports. He further emphasized the openness of player selection, "My attitude to these kind of situations is that the door is never closed."
Goode supports the coaching decision, stating in his Rugby Pass column,
"Assuming he actually wants to play for England again, he’ll be back involved over the course of the next year if his form continues to be good, but we all know what he can do."
He points out that it's time for newer players like Fraser Dingwall and Max Ojomoh to prove their mettle.
The spotlight, however, shines brightly on Fin Smith, who Goode believes should be the starting fly-half. "He was the man in possession of the shirt before going on the Lions tour, has put in a couple of good performances for Northampton since his return and has a superb all-round game that gets the best out of those around him," Goode argues. Despite George Ford's strong performances, Goode sees Smith's defensive capabilities as giving him the edge.
As England's squad shapes up, with both new and familiar faces, the dynamics within the team promise a revitalized approach to their upcoming matches. With players like Smith at the helm, England’s backline looks set to evolve, potentially marking a significant shift in their tactical setup.
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Owen Farrell, once the linchpin of England's rugby machine, finds himself on the sidelines this Autumn Nations Series, and according to ex-England fly-half Andy Goode, it's a logical move. With Farrell's game time sparse post his stint in French rugby and following an injury-riddled season, his omission allows new talents to step into the limelight under Steve Borthwick's regime.
Farrell's absence, while notable, isn't causing the stir it once might have. After a hiatus from international play and a return to Saracens, Farrell has expressed a desire to simply enjoy his rugby, a sentiment Borthwick echoed. "Owen has gone out quite publicly and said a number of times that for right now, it’s just to get back to playing rugby back in England, enjoying his rugby after a difficult year injury-wise last season," Borthwick shared with Sky Sports. He further emphasized the openness of player selection, "My attitude to these kind of situations is that the door is never closed."
Goode supports the coaching decision, stating in his Rugby Pass column,
"Assuming he actually wants to play for England again, he’ll be back involved over the course of the next year if his form continues to be good, but we all know what he can do."
He points out that it's time for newer players like Fraser Dingwall and Max Ojomoh to prove their mettle.The spotlight, however, shines brightly on Fin Smith, who Goode believes should be the starting fly-half. "He was the man in possession of the shirt before going on the Lions tour, has put in a couple of good performances for Northampton since his return and has a superb all-round game that gets the best out of those around him," Goode argues. Despite George Ford's strong performances, Goode sees Smith's defensive capabilities as giving him the edge.
As England's squad shapes up, with both new and familiar faces, the dynamics within the team promise a revitalized approach to their upcoming matches. With players like Smith at the helm, England’s backline looks set to evolve, potentially marking a significant shift in their tactical setup.