“Decent but limited 10.” Again – massively insulting to a guy that has achieved so much in the game at such a young age. If you really undervalue his attributes that much then this is a really pointless debate.

If you read what I said above – it depends what you want from your 12. I’ve actually just seen TRB post a blog about Farrell at 12 so I won’t rehash what they’ve written – it seems they agree with me.

I’ve clearly said that he has the attributes of a “a good 10 when he is playing in a very structured game with a strong pack a la Saracens. He is a good defender. He is a very good place kicker.”

He can distribute but its all by the numbers stuff which is why it only works when the game is structured. If anything falls outside of that, then his game suffers. Also cannot believe you’d argue that his tactical kicking isn’t inconsistent.

He is a decent but limited 10.

So I have not said in any way that he has no skill set. I have said that he does not have the skill set for an international 12

Of all the centres mentioned above, the only one I’d choose him in front of would be Toomua, but that’s ‘cos I don’t think he is an international standard 12 either. Lealifano is – he attacks the line and offloads very well as well as being able to kick and distribute.

Rather than going on about what you think I’ve said, why don’t you explain why you believe he should be playing 12 for England

Yes he has played most of his rugby at 10, but you’ve effectively stated he has no attributes. If that was actually true, how on earth has he achieved all these things?

You’ve quite clearly said he can’t distribute, has an inconsistent kicking game etc etc. Quite incredible that he has achieved all that, even from 10, with no skill set whatsoever.

Specifically on playing 12 – it massively depends what you want from your 12. Toomua/Leiliifano type centres are very similar to Farrell. Neither of those players make breaks – they both act as second 10s to help distribute the ball. If that’s what you want – then yes Farrell can do the job. Is he a similar 12 to Roberts/Nonu? Nope, nor Fafana either.

I asked you to say what you thought he bought to the position and you came up with his tactical kicking game. Which as we know is not consistent. You say his passing is ‘good’ but only when he is on the front foot.

And that’s all you could come up with. What else does he offer? Which of the centres I’ve listed would you choose Farrell in front of?

He is a good 10 when he is playing in a very structured game with a strong pack a la Saracens. He is a good defender. He is a very good place kicker.

He does not offer guile. He does not offer pace. He does not offer power. He is not, in my opinion, an international standard 12

Do you really believe that? If you do I think it’s madness.

Right now I wouldn’t be against dropping him at all because he clearly isn’t fit but to suggest all of those things are crazy in my opinion.

His kicking game can be good but certainly isn’t consistently good. That’s hardly the greatest endorsement.

His running game is non-existent

His passing is adequate, playing by the numbers rather than what’s in front of him

Let’s look at some other sides. Would I have Farrell in front of any of these centres from the recent internationals?

SBW
C Smith
R Crotty
M Fekitoa
T Kuridrani
C Lealifano
S Williams
J Roberts
J Davies
G North
M Bennett
A Dunbar
De Villiers
Serfontein
W Fofana
A Doumoulin
R Henshaw
J Payne

No.

I would rather have any from Burrell, Barritt, Eastmond, 36 (even on current form) ahead of Farrell at i/c – in fact I’d call up Sam Hill or Henry Slade before choosing Farrell or (a name that no one seems to have mentioned) Shane Geraghty

SL may want two ball players at 10/12 with kicking games but if we don’t have fit, in-form players who can fulfill that then he should be changing his tactics

Unfortunately it seems he’d rather shoe-horn players into his tactical strait-jacket, irrespective of their form or fitness, than change his strategy.

And Pablito – massively disagree with you. His kicking game, when on point.he is fit, is very good. His distribution is also good, but only when he is forced onto the front foot. At 10, if his pack goes backwards he tends to sit deeper and deeper. From 12, Ford would force him forward. His defence is good.

Look at other top sides – Toomua for Australia – does he offer loads more? Nope. SA and NZ play their bigger ball carriers at 12 where Eng and Australia play them at 13 so you can’t really compare.

Point being – SL wants two ball players at 10/12 – who can both offer kicking games. A Ford/Farrell axis brings that.

What team in the top 10 is going to look at Farrell playing 12 and quake because he has the ability to rip their defense open?

Even with injury issues there are still Barritt, Burrell and 12T to choose from, the latter 2 who formed a good partnership in the 6N. Ford and Farrell will be tried at some stage but I don’t think now is the right time, and certainly not with Barritt at 13.