SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Things change, and so should selection: I would not swap George Ford with Owen Farrell against Japan even if I could

Even if Owen Farrell was available to face Japan on Sunday, I would still have started with George Ford.

Farrell is a favorite of coach Steve Borthwick and as captain he is the team’s favorite player. I’m a big fan of Farrell and have consistently advocated for him to start at number 10, but the most important aspect to master when coaching at international level is selection. An important part of that is accepting that things can change and adapting accordingly.

You can have all the plans you want, but sometimes they go out the window. That’s what happened when Farrell was sent off against Wales last month and subsequently banned for two matches. Farrell will be available again against Chile in the third round of the World Cup.

But in his absence, Ford made a big statement. He was fantastic against Argentina and almost single-handedly guided England to victory. He kicked all 27 points, including three drop goals.

Ford’s game management after England dropped to 14 men following Tom Curry’s sending-off was excellent. It was a brilliant display, everything you expect from your playmaker. It is no surprise that he will start again against Japan on Sunday in Nice.

In Farrell’s absence, Ford made a big statement by scoring all 27 points against Argentina

England must take this World Cup one match at a time and not get ahead of themselves. It is critical that they do this. Japan is the only game that matters right now.

That said, I’m sure the thought crossed Borthwick’s mind about what he will do once Farrell’s suspension is over. I imagine Farrell will play against Chile. I say that because he’s short on rugby and Borthwick wants to put a few minutes into him, but that doesn’t mean Farrell should start those games. I repeat: things can change.

At the start of the 2003 World Cup, Mike Tindall and Will Greenwood were my first choice center pairing. But for the semi-final with France I started Mike Catt alongside Greenwood with Tindall on the bench. Bad conditions were forecast for that match and I knew Catt’s kicking game would be crucial.

Catt had also impressed from the bench, turning the difficult quarter-final with Wales in England’s direction. He had also done well against Samoa in a comeback win. As a result, I selected Catt ahead of Tindall against France.

Borthwick should not be afraid to make equally important decisions. If Ford plays another good game against Japan and Borthwick thinks he is playing better than Farrell, the captain will have to give it a miss. I have been clear in my belief that Farrell is not 12, so he should not be played there at 10 with Ford. That would be a great cop.

I feel a little sorry for Marcus Smith. England are fortunate to have three brilliant flyhalves. Ford, Farrell and Smith are all different and it is Borthwick’s job to choose the right man for the job. No matter who plays, there is only one thing that matters at a World Cup: winning the next match.

Individual performance is great, but it’s not skating. It’s knockout rugby and finishing as a team on the right side of the scoreboard is everything. Ford helped England do that against the odds in the first round, so he has credit in the bank and hopes to stay in the white 10 shirt.

After Argentina, Japan is the next step for this English team to show what they can do. I was thrilled to see Ford bring back the drop-goal scheme against the Pumas. It’s a tactic that’s impossible to defend against if you execute it properly, and the scoreboard keeps ticking.

What I would like to see against Japan is England showing something new in attack. I think they can get a lot more out of Freddie Steward. One thing I’d like to see is Ford trying to find the England full-back with cross-kicks. Steward is brilliant in the air and has a fantastic defensive 15, but his skills could be put to better use in the future.

I think England can get a lot more out of Freddie Steward by using his skills in the future

In the 2003 World Cup final, Australia scored their only try with a cross kick against Lote Tuqiri that beat Jason Robinson in the air. In that situation the attacking player has the advantage. These types of mismatches are an area where Steward would excel. If England kick to Steward in a similar manner, they could create a mismatch as no one is allowed to beat the Leicester man in a leap for the ball.

Deploying Steward wide from set pieces in the opposition 22 and having Jonny May on the other side of the pitch keeps the opposition guessing and also opens up more space for the centres.

England have become too predictable in attack, but they should have too much for Japan anyway. The Brave Blossoms are not the same team that reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup when they impressed as hosts.

England are confident now with Ford in the lead and I see nothing but a comfortable England win and another positive step forward into the unknown for this team.