Kawazaki wrote: Sun Jan 01, 2023 2:06 pm
JM2K6 wrote: Sat Dec 31, 2022 11:36 pm
Paddington Bear wrote: Sat Dec 31, 2022 5:05 pm
That was an absolute pasting, Faz a different animal in a Sarries shirt
Judging by the commentary team and the papers he's nailed on to lead England into the world cup from 10. Would be good to see if he could produce the same form.
Farrell is a much more effective player at 10 rather than 12. He does operate much better with a second playmaker at 15 though. And that isn't Steward*.
* In the latest Ruck podcast, they were doing their XV of the year and whilst discussing the fullback options, they read out some opta stats. Steward had the worst tackle completion rate by miles compared to the other options, including Ramos. Wait for it...
... Steward only completed 55% of the tackles he attempted in test rugby in 2022.
It's undeniable that Farrell has been a much more effective player at 12 for England. His times at 10 have been patchy, and there's a gulf in the success rates for England when Ford plays 10 vs Farrell playing there.
He is, no doubt, a fantastic 10 for Saracens. He has the ability and can certainly execute a number of game plans that could see success with England. Which makes it all the more mysterious that over several years there's been such a gulf between what he can do at Saracens and what he can do with England (or the Lions, tbh). We've seen glimpses of it for England and he is such an experienced player in such great club form that there can be no excuses if he doesn't step up if, as is seeming very likely, he is given the shirt by a coach who thinks very highly of him.
Interesting stats re: Steward though I would want to dig into them a little more. He is very very young though, so I'm happy to let him develop in the role given he's head and shoulders above the next best option.