FLY HALVES
OWEN FARRELL: C-
2023 RWC Caps: 2
Where to being with today’s most talked about England player? Farrell missed the first two pool stage matches, after another high tackle offence against Wales’ Taine Basham in August. The Saracen returned to the fold at fly-half, and cruised to an easy win over Chile. Farrell then moved along to inside centre, to re-capture the magic of the George Ford-Farrell axis, that took England to the 2019 World Cup Final and won the 2020 Six Nations. However, the result against Samoa was less to be desired, with his positional future uncertain for Sunday’s match against Fiji.
GEORGE FORD: B
2023 RWC Caps:
The spotlight shone on ‘Saint George’ when the Sale man was given the nod to start at fly-half, in the Rugby World Cup opener against Argentina. Preferred to lead the line over Marcus Smith in Farrell’s suspended absence, Ford channelled his inner Wilkinson, to slot each and every one of England’s 27 points and secure the win over Los Pumas. His form has since plateaued, as England took longer than expected to become comfortable against Japan. A half hour stint in the Chilean landslide, the Farrell partnership drew a mixed bag in his latest run out against Samoa.
MARCUS SMITH: B
2023 RWC Caps: 4
Marcus Smith is like a loaded cannon on the England side-lines, that is ready to explode as soon as he crosses the whitewash. A definite difference maker in each of England’s matches, the Harlequin has adapted well to full-back, having been pushed out of fly-half selection. Two tries against Chile presented exciting signs for the versatile playmaker, who bossed the match from his newly adopted number 15 jersey. After just 127 World Cup minutes, starting Smith at fullback against Fiji would be a bold statement, but he has a taste for scoring against the Pacific Islanders, coming as recently as August.
CENTRES
MANU TUILAGI: C+
2023 RWC Caps: 3
After a relatively slower run-out against Argentina, Tuilagi has progressed back into the bruising England ball-carrier than fans and his teammates know and love. The Sale Sharks man must have felt Ollie Lawrence’s shadow looming over him, and kicked into gear after the Bath man finished the Pumas fixture stronger than how Tuilagi started it. Stronger outings against Japan and his birth land of Samoa, Tuilagi will be required at full force, as another hard-hitting midfield battle is expected against Fiji.
JOE MARCHANT: B-
2023 RWC Caps: 4
The versatile Joe Marchant ran out a better performance alongside Tuilagi in the centres, than he did when shifted out wide to the wing against Samoa. Marchant’s talents excel beyond out-right pace, with playmaking being an integral part of his repertoire. Marchant scored a nice try against Japan, and should return to the midfield for the knock-out stages. No doubt a covering option out wide, but Marchant should start in the 13 jersey.
OLLIE LAWRENCE: C
2023 RWC Caps: 4
After making a name for himself as Tuilagi’s heir in the 2023 Six Nations, Ollie Lawrence’s momentum was curtailed by an untimely knee injury over the Summer. Dropping down the midfield hierarchy as a result, Lawrence has had to fight to achieve game-time so far in the pool stages. Having run out for 127 minutes in four pool matches, including the full 80 minutes against Chile, Borthwick will likely include Lawrence on the bench for the match against Fiji.