Former England fly-half Freddie Burns has given his unique insight into the current fly-half options in Steve Borthwick\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
Burns, who famously kicked the Premiership-winning drop goal for Borthwick\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great position for England to be in,\u201d Burns said.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, one of those boys is going to be, well, two of them are going to be disappointed that they\u2019re not starting, one of them disappointed not being involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou want to develop Fin Smith<\/a>, and obviously, Marcus Smith<\/a> is more of a utility, but you want to give these guys time. But when Ford is in the form that he\u2019s in, why would you not pick him?<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s pulling the strings arguably better than he ever has, and he\u2019s a player of high quality. So for me, Ford is the guy, especially after the autumn, to keep the shirt, and there\u2019s no reason why he can\u2019t take it on to a World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n What about the chasers?<\/p>\n Ford is remarkably still only 32 years old, despite achieving well over a century of caps for his country. He\u2019s not always had control of the 10 shirt, however. In the past, he\u2019s had to fight off competition from the likes of Owen Farrell<\/a> and Marcus Smith, but now, at the height of his powers, he appears to be in full control.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s for Fin and Marcus to emulate their club form in training, and when they do get an opportunity, take it,\u201d said Burns.<\/p>\n \u201cBut like you will know, once you\u2019ve got the shirt, it\u2019s yours to lose. <\/p>\n \u201cAt the minute, Fordy\u2019s churning out performances that it just doesn\u2019t make sense for England<\/a> to make that change at the moment. So as long as he\u2019s in that form, keep him going. <\/p>\n \u201cFin and Marcus are just gonna have to keep training hard, and I\u2019m sure they will. I mean, they\u2019re both British Lions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt will turn in time\u201d<\/p>\n With Ford in such class form, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s Fin Smith who\u2019s been missing out. He just has to keep showing up. He\u2019s played really well for Northampton. Keep showing up to training. He will get an opportunity. <\/p>\n \u201cHe could still be 100 capper in years to come. He\u2019s 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\u2019ve just got to pick the best player at the moment. And for me, that\u2019s Fordy. <\/p>\n \u201cIt is tough. It\u2019s not nice. I always knew that.<\/p>\n