Former England fly-half Freddie Burns has given his unique insight into the current fly-half options in Steve Borthwick’s side.
Burns, who famously kicked the Premiership-winning drop goal for Borthwick’s Leicester Tigers in 2022, played for England on five separate occasions, so he knows what it takes to perform at fly-half at the highest level.
Appearing on the For The Love Of Rugby podcast, the 35-year-old was asked if George Ford, Marcus Smith or Fin Smith should start for England in the upcoming Six Nations.
“It’s a great position for England to be in,” Burns said.
“Obviously, one of those boys is going to be, well, two of them are going to be disappointed that they’re not starting, one of them disappointed not being involved.
“I don’t think international rugby is a place to develop. I know you have to give people time in the shirt, and you have to try and bring through youngsters. But at the minute, Fordy is the in-form 10, arguably in the world.
“You want to develop Fin Smith, and obviously, Marcus Smith is more of a utility, but you want to give these guys time. But when Ford is in the form that he’s in, why would you not pick him?
“He’s pulling the strings arguably better than he ever has, and he’s a player of high quality. So for me, Ford is the guy, especially after the autumn, to keep the shirt, and there’s no reason why he can’t take it on to a World Cup.”
What about the chasers?
Ford is remarkably still only 32 years old, despite achieving well over a century of caps for his country. He’s not always had control of the 10 shirt, however. In the past, he’s had to fight off competition from the likes of Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith, but now, at the height of his powers, he appears to be in full control.
“It’s for Fin and Marcus to emulate their club form in training, and when they do get an opportunity, take it,” said Burns.
“But like you will know, once you’ve got the shirt, it’s yours to lose.
“At the minute, Fordy’s churning out performances that it just doesn’t make sense for England to make that change at the moment. So as long as he’s in that form, keep him going.
“Fin and Marcus are just gonna have to keep training hard, and I’m sure they will. I mean, they’re both British Lions.”
“It will turn in time”
With Ford in such class form, it’s difficult to see any way of either Smith securing the 10 jersey off him anytime soon, but Burns believes that they have to stay consistent, and an opportunity will come.
“It’s Fin Smith who’s been missing out. He just has to keep showing up. He’s played really well for Northampton. Keep showing up to training. He will get an opportunity.
“He could still be 100 capper in years to come. He’s got loads of time in front of him. But the pressure on the England coaches to deliver performances and deliver wins is huge. So you’ve just got to pick the best player at the moment. And for me, that’s Fordy.
“It is tough. It’s not nice. I always knew that.
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“But those boys are of extreme quality, and we all know Steve in terms of, he has horses for courses as well, a little bit, so he won’t be scared to make changes if he feels like that’s best for the team.
“But yeah, just got to lump it. If you’re not in the shirt at the minute, keep training hard, and it will turn in time.
“It’s a good headache to have, isn’t it, because we’ve got three unbelievable 10s, to be fair, three brilliant tens. So look, it’s a good headache to have.”
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