DAN BIGGAR: The Ford and Farrell show ain’t broke, don’t fix it… while Tuilagi can add brute force

Everyone will be clamoring for Owen Farrell to play fly-half for England after that performance, but I think a 10-12 combination with George Ford is the way they’ll go.

When you play 10, your performance generally depends on how the rest of your team is doing. Saracens were by far the better team, with more possession, more phases and more fluid attacks. Ford had some nice touches, but he was never able to bring his form into play.

I’ve been on two Lions tours with Farrell. He can take some flak, but his big game temperament is incredible. Come finals day, that’s almost more important than skill.

The drive, the determination to win, the composure. The way he expresses himself radiates to other people and that was the case on Saturday. He is an incredibly intense man.

During the 2017 tour, it was difficult to get to know him off the field because he didn’t really cut out. It was rugby rugby rugby.

In 2021 he seemed a lot more relaxed when he talked about his kids and I think that is reflected on the pitch. If he makes a mistake on the field now, it doesn’t seem like the end of the world. He releases a little pressure from his shoulders.

In big games you want to get your basics down, which Farrell did, with a touch of gold dust. He was a fraction better than Ford, but he was surrounded by a tighter team. Steve Borthwick wants his best players in the park and Ford and Farrell are among the best in England. It’s a no-brainer, while someone like Manu Tuilagi at age 13 can add a bit of brute force.

That’s tough for Marcus, because it’s not the year of Harlequins, but his time will come. Here’s how I analyzed their performances at Twickenham:

TO FIT

Ford’s great strength is how intricate he is on the line, forcing defenders to jump out and exploiting the small gaps. He played some nice balls to Tuilagi but didn’t get many chances. He mixed things up, with inside balls on the line, early passes to his forwards to let them dominate collisions and a backward pass.

Farrell 8 Ford 7

GOAL KICKS

People talk about kicking percentages, but I hate that stat because it doesn’t tell the story. Ford missed two and Farrell missed one, but Farrell had easier kicks. I don’t think it has much influence anyway.

Farrell 7 Ford 7

RUNNING GAME

Farrell will never be a crash ball center, but at times he looked like a traditional 12. He looked more menacing off the line and the flow of the game allowed him to have a crack, with a show and an offload. He looked hungry to carry it out. Ford was dealing with a static ball from one or two stages. He went once and was held.

Farrell 7 Ford 5

DEFENSE

Not many players can rip the ball off Tuilagi like Farrell did. He is combative and he is a winner. Saracens could impose themselves more. Ford will never be the greatest tackler, but he is a good defender. He had some good double shots, but Farrell pushed for more.

Farrell: 7 Ford 6

Ford had some nice touches, but he was never able to bring his form into play

KICKS OUT OF HAND

Both know how to fight their way on the field. They are pragmatic and Borthwick likes that.

Farrell put in a very smart 50-22 and saw the space. Nothing spectacular, but he was really accurate. There was a rushed crossfield from Ford that put pressure on his side, but he had a really good touch finder for the first try.

Farrell 8 Ford 6