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George Ford is likely to start at fly-half when England begin their autumn internationals campaign against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.
The Sale Sharks No 10 enjoyed an outstanding summer tour with Steve Borthwick’s side, helping to orchestrate two victories against Argentina and one against the USA, and appears to have stated a strong case for selection.
Fin Smith, whose Northampton side top the Prem table after five rounds, became established as the first-choice fly-half during the Six Nations this year before embarking on the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia.
However, along with his playing ability, the 32-year-old Ford’s tactical expertise is highly valued in the England camp, and if he starts on Saturday it could indicate Borthwick regards him as first-choice for the Rugby World Cup in 2027.
The 23-year-old Smith and the first-choice scrum-half Alex Mitchell play together for Northampton but Ford, who has 102 England caps, brings a different set of skills with his perceptive tactical kicking and threat of drop-goals. Sale, in contrast to the in-form Saints, are seventh in the Prem with two wins from five matches.
Borthwick has a wealth of options in the back-line and the Northampton wing Tommy Freeman is being strongly considered to start at outside-centre. Mitchell backed his clubmate, who scored four tries against Saracens last Friday, to thrive if he switches from the wing to No 13.
“I think it will be good. He’s a quality player who has a lot of facets to his game with his power and how he works in the air,” Mitchell said. “His confidence is through the roof and his form is amazing. We knew when he came through the academy that he’s got everything: speed, power, height. He understands the game. We know if he puts that all together he’s one hell of a player.”
The hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has welcomed the “Test-match animal” Tom Curry, his Sale teammate, back into the England fold. Curry has recovered from having surgery on a wrist problem after the Lions tour and is in contention to start in the back row against the Wallabies.
“He’s built differently,” said Cowan-Dickie, who will reach 50 England caps if he plays at Twickenham. “I think he showed that in the Lions. It’s a cliche: ‘He’s a Test-match animal,’ – but he is. For his game and mental approach, he could have not played for a year, and I’d still put him in my team.”
Curry appeared six times for the British & Irish Lions in Australia but has missed the start of Sale’s domestic campaign due to the surgery. “He’s a workhorse,” Cowan-Dickie said.
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“When you see it out on the field, half the time he’s limping because he’s put his body on the line. But he’s still going and you always feed off that sort of stuff. He was playing with that wrist injury for ages. He’s another guy who’s mentally tough. It’s always a bonus for me personally. He’s one of these best back-rowers, if not the best back-rower in the world so I’m buzzing that he’s on my team.”
Cowan-Dickie has also endured serious injuries himself since his England debut in 2015. “I’ve stuck around – they don’t call me the cockroach for no reason,” Cowan-Dickie joked. “I’ve had a lot of injuries. Would I be here today if I didn’t play through them? Maybe not. I think it’s made me robust.”
Cowan-Dickie also said he is continuing to the feel benefits of giving up alcohol. “Loving it – I’ve not thought about once,” he said. “I don’t know how long it has been: 17 or 18 months, and I feel way better for it. My body is better for it. Touch wood I have not been injured, I have lost a bit of weight, and I’m feeling physically better.”
