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Woodward verdict on what ban means for Farrell's England captaincy
By Liam Heagney
Former England coach Clive Woodward has assessed what the four-game ban for Owen Farrell means for his captaincy of Steve Borthwick’s squad at the Rugby World Cup.
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Last week’s original free-to-play-on disciplinary hearing verdict after his red card versus Wales was appealed by World Rugby and it emerged on Tuesday night that Farrell must now miss four matches – two Summer Nations Series fixtures and the Rugby World Cup pool clashes with Argentina and Japan.
The outcome leaves England going into battle minus their first-choice out-half, a situation that Woodward has run the rule over in his latest Sportsmail column. He reckoned if the ban was any longer, he would have questioned Farrell keeping the captaincy for the World Cup.
However, he believes there is now no need for change and that George Ford is in pole position to wear the No10 England shirt in the first two rounds in France.
Woodward wrote: “Owen Farrell’s ban of four matches was confirmed on Tuesday night and it was the correct outcome… England’s captain will miss the first two games of the World Cup against Argentina and Japan.
“The four-match ban includes last weekend’s warm-up defeat by Ireland – rightly, in my opinion – so Farrell won’t be able to play in the final preparation game against Fiji and the early stages of the tournament in France.
“But he undoubtedly still has a key role to play for England. He must still go to the World Cup as skipper. Had he been banned for six weeks, I might have had a different view. In all likelihood, he will also come straight back into the team when available.
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“For now, Steve Borthwick must reserve his judgment on that, as either George Ford or Marcus Smith might have lift-off in the early stages of the competition. And as an international head coach, you must take things one game at a time.
“I have consistently maintained that the game against the Pumas will define England’s World Cup campaign, so to be without one of his best players is a massive, massive blow to Borthwick.
“It is a big ask for Smith to start at No 10 in the Argentina match. But whether Borthwick goes for him or Ford, it is a big opportunity for either of them to impress and lay down a marker.
“I would still imagine Borthwick will opt for Ford given he is a big fan of his ability and the two worked together to win the Premiership with Leicester… England should still be good enough to beat Argentina with either Ford or Smith at 10. I’m not saying that’s a guarantee, however. Far from it actually – Argentina are a very dangerous side.”
- Click here to read the latest Clive Woodward Sportsmail column in full
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On the strength of recent performances Argentina will comfortably beat England. They would no doubt far prefer to face this Borthwick version of England than the Eddie version. And they can thank Woodward for his stupid cheerleading of the Eddie ejection process.
Looking forward to the England/Argentina game, and hoping to see an England/Australia game. Right now my money would be on England losing both.
Argentina’s warm up matches have been against some of the best sides in the world, they are more prepared than England.
Oh good Clive Woodward with another opinion on England. The man has not coached rugby for over 15 years, he knows nothing about the current game yet constantly puts England down or comes up with ludicrous comments or ideas
"England should still be good enough to beat Argentina"....On what evidence Woodward is basing that assumption, I have no idea.
The Farrell thing is a complete sideshow, if only all of englands current woes were down to terrible tackle technique by their captain.
The pack isn't good enough.
The backline isn't good enough.
Defence isn't good enough.
Attack is non existent.
The coaching team are uninspiring and myopic.