England's Fly Half Race

In the years following England’s dramatic Rugby World Cup final win at the Telstra Stadium, Sydney in 2003, English rugby has searched endlessly, and often fruitlessly, for a true successor to one Jonny Wilkinson.

Frequent injuries to Wilkinson left England with a void to fill, but as experiment after experiment failed in the cauldron of international rugby, it seemed as if English rugby’s ambitions were unbreakably tied to the fitness of their favourite son. 

Whilst Ireland, Wales and even Scotland found consistency with Ronan O’Gara, Stephen Jones and Dan Parks respectively, England staggered through a hodgepodge of options such as Charlie Hodgson, Olly Barkley, Andy Goode and Toby Flood. There were even some dark moments when the ageing and then recent cross-code convert, Andy Farrell, was considered as a possible salvation at first five-eighth.    

Fast-forward to 2012 and up steps the then 20-year old Owen Farrell. Farrell was, and still is, raw, but his hard-hitting style of defence and accurate goal-kicking were instantly reminiscent of Wilkinson. Currently in possession of England’s 10 jersey and with 25 caps to his name, Farrell’s reign has been a good one, including helping England to a historic and record-breaking victory over New Zealand in 2012, as well as starring in games against both South Africa and Australia. 

At just 22 years of age, Farrell has been there and done it, whilst a limited role for the British and Irish Lions in 2013 helped him improve significantly as a playmaker, no doubt thanks to the tutelage of Rob Howley and teammate Jonathan Sexton. 

Farrell’s place in the England XV is under threat however, and not just from one player, but four. Bath’s George Ford, the mercurial Freddie Burns, a resurgent Danny Cipriani and wildcard Henry Slade all have ambitions that involve the England 10 jersey, and thanks to fast starts to the season, all have legitimate claims.

Ford’s stat line makes for impressive reading through three weeks of the Aviva Premiership, as the young fly-half has helped lead Bath to three wins amidst clamours that they are already the team to beat in the competition. With 57 points, six assists, 185 running metres and seven defenders beaten, his effectiveness has been clear, whilst he has also passed the eye test, oozing a calmness and composure which certainly belies his young age. 

Knocks on Ford in the past have been his goal-kicking and defence, two areas where Farrell excels, but with 22/24 kicks made and 22 tackles made (none missed), he is answering those questions emphatically.

Next up, Burns. 

At times last season, it looked as if Burns was ready to enrol at the ‘Frédéric Michalak School for Mercurial Fly-Halves’, but he already looks a far more stable player despite only arriving at Leicester a few short months ago. His start to the 2014/15 campaign has been solid if not spectacular, but his refusal to self-destruct in Leicester’s humiliating 45-0 loss to Bath already shows a lot of growth from last season. Burns’ biggest weapon in his arsenal for England selection will be his performance against New Zealand in the first test this summer, where he shook off a disastrous season with Gloucester with ease.

Everybody loves a redemption story and there is no doubt Cipriani cuts a charismatic protagonist. Stats-wise, Cipriani will struggle to compete with the likes of Farrell and Ford, but it’s important to consider that he is playing with less talent outside of him than they both have at Saracens and Bath respectively. There is no doubt in my mind that without Cipriani, Sale would not have qualified for the European Rugby Champions Cup this season. In fact, it probably wouldn’t have even been close. 

At his best, Cipriani can spark a back line as well as anyone in world rugby, with the possible exception of Quade Cooper, but concerns over his defence and consistency are not totally unfounded.

Last, but certainly not least, comes Slade. In reality, Slade’s chances of making the Rugby World Cup are slim, as there are just too many players ahead of him in the current pecking order, but his early-season form, tremendous potential and surprising versatility earn him a mention. 

Used to playing at fly-half and inside of teammate Sam Hill for both Exeter and England U20s, Slade has moved outside of him to the outside centre berth so far this season and has continued his development with aplomb. His elusive running style and excellent distribution have proved the perfect foil to the more powerful Hill, and though his long-term future may be back at 10, his versatility could make him an enticing wildcard option for Stuart Lancaster.

Northampton Saints’ fly-half Stephen Myler also deserves some recognition; such has been his form over the last couple of seasons. That said, now aged 30 and certainly behind Farrell, Ford and Burns in the pecking order, as well as probably Cipriani, it seems like multiple injuries are perhaps now the only scenario which could give Myler the opportunity that his play has arguably deserved.

The facts are that, for the moment, its Farrell’s jersey to lose. He has done everything that’s been asked of him by England and more on some occasions. If Lancaster does want to go in another direction though, he needs to do it now, with time rapidly running out before England open the RWC against Fiji on the 18^th September next year. 

The temptation to start Ford this autumn must be considerable, especially with Farrell’s early Premiership actions limited due to his recovery from a knee injury sustained in New Zealand this summer, but would it be wise? Significant cases can be made for it, but it seems particularly self-destructive to chop and change a consistent and efficient player this close to the RWC, especially at such a pivotal position as fly-half. 

Farrell has shown that he can mix it with the best in the world – and beat them – so show faith in the young man. Re-evaluate your options and long-term goals after the RWC, but right now, Farrell as starting 10, with one of Ford or Cipriani ready and waiting to shake things up from the bench, seems to be England’s best chance of taking home rugby’s biggest prize on home soil next year.