Although l prefer Ford to Farrell in terms of his creativity and flair; this game will be brutal and in this instance Farrell is utterly fearless and a ferocious (if sometimes illegal) tackler. So probably edge's this time around. Marlers inclusion is a smart choice; excellent scrummaging and he will niggle the South Africans with his constant chatter. Genge on the bench for the second half when their bomb squad enter the foray also a good choice. Think SA will probably edge it, but England will be up for this. Lawes and Itoge will relish this, there is payback owed for 4 years ago and the last Lions tour to SA.
Won't argue with Farrell's tackling ability compared to Ford but its the kicking I'm more concerned about. I don't foresee this game being as open as the South Africa vs France game and it could easily be down to penalties that wins or loses this match. Farrell's kicking over recent weeks has been incredibly inconsistent and I'd have gone for Ford for his kicking alone. Its not like we don't have beef elsewhere in the team to try and nullify South Africa.
Why? NZ were always going to be too strong. But Argentina did start well. TBH I'm getting fed up with the joke now.Case in point
I thought hanging on in quiet desperation was the English way?Brute force and ignorance, not creativity and flair, are the English way and can win us this game.
Oñe problem with that analysis, South África have considerably more brute forcé. As for creativity, let Farrell play the way he does for Saracens as that team scores heaps of tries every game.Brute force and ignorance, not creativity and flair, are the English way and can win us this game.
