England's record is significantly worse with Farrell at 10 then Ford. I think it's something like a 20% win/loss drop and if we're picking a 10 based on he makes us feel comfortable he can kick a goal, then that's a very sad mentally to have.
England's entire attack is based on Ford's skills not Farrell's.
1014 have pretty much nailed it anyway yesterday, teams set their spines of 2, 8, 9, 10, 15 at the start of the last world cup with a few exceptions. England nailed theirs to mast as well and it is:
2. Hartley
8. Vunipola
9. Youngs
10. Ford
15. Brown
You can argue the merits of 2, Vunipola's injury is privately probably a blessing with Hughes and Simmonds to a lesser extent being tested, Youngs and Ford just won't be dropped, it isn't happening 2 years out from a cycle and Brown dispite being 33 by the next world cup, to make a change now makes a big difference to how we play so he won't be dropped for me. They are the 5 nailed ons, guaranteed to play in their position no matter what. It's basically the same for most major nations bar maybe Scotland and South Africa that if you look at the spine, you may not be totally happy with the players but for the coaches, they are the go to leaders and spine of the team.
