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The ‘cheat’ solution to the Wilkinson vs Farrell Immortals XV debate

(Graphic by BT Sport)

Gallagher Premiership players have had their say on whether Jonny Wilkinson or Owen Farrell should be selected on the BT Sport Immortals XV team. The sports broadcaster has been getting fans to select their Immortals XV before the selection culminates in a round-table debate show on May 27 featuring Ugo Monye, Lawrence Dallaglio, Ben Kay and Austin Healey.

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Marcos Ayerza, Schalk Brits, Martin Castrogiovanni, Maro Itoje, Martin Johnson, Joe Worsley, Neil Back, Dallaglio and Danny Care have all topped fan polls in recent days and with a vote for the No10 position currently taking place online, BT Sport have now added the views of numerous high profile current players to the past versus present debate.

George Ford, who will start at out-half for Sale against Leicester in this Sunday’s Premiership semi-final, said: “Probably Farrell, how competitive he is, the leader he has turned into, his skill set, his physicality… but I can’t choose between the two, to be honest.”

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Alex Goode, who goes into semi-final battle with Farrell and Saracens on Saturday versus Northampton, reckoned: “I have not played with Jonny. Owen is a leader during the week, taking the group to another level as much as he is playing – it’s just phenomenal.

“But I guess getting the winning drop goal in the (World Cup) final puts Jonny up in a different echelon for now, but Owen has a chance in this next World Cup so hopefully he can get to that level.”

Saracens hooker Jamie George chose his teammate. “I’ll say Farrell because without him I don’t think I would have won anything.” Nostalgia, though, tipped the balance for Henry Slade in favour of Wilkinson. “Tough. Wilkinson was always the guy I looked up to growing up.

“He comes into (England) camp and I have done a fair bit of kicking with him – he’s awesome. I played with Owen a lot and he is an unbelievable leader, an unbelievable player. Probably just nostalgia. I’ll go with Jonny.”

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Care, Manu Tuilagi and Charlie Ewels all came up with the same suggestion to play Wilkinson and Farrell as a 10/12 together. Care said: “They are very similar in character and in ability. Both incredible athletes, incredible winners, competitors. I’m not splitting them. I’m going to play them 10/12 together.”

Tuilagi added: “Play them together.” Ewels suggested: “They are different, they can play together 10 and 12. Jonny Wilkinson is like a childhood hero. I was eight years old watching him win the World Cup, so he became an early rugby hero. It’s very difficult to look past him but I am going to cheat, one at 10 and one at 12. I’d have both of them.”

BT Sport’s Premiership Immortals celebrates the greatest players in the history of Premiership Rugby. From May 4 until the Premiership final on May 27, fans will be able to have their say on who they think deserves to have a spot in the competition’s all-time team. Cast your vote btsport.com/immortals 

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1 Comment
K
Kevin 541 days ago

Worsley over His Royal Hillness? Nope, never, even now

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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