Ronan O\u2019Gara does not believe the current England fly-half options are the \u201cdominators\u201d that they used to have in Jonny Wilkinson and Owen Farrell.<\/p>\n
Since taking charge of the team in 2023, Steve Borthwick has been trying to find his best option at number 10.<\/p>\n
Marcus Smith, Fin Smith and George Ford have all been tried in the pivot position but none have truly nailed down the slot.<\/p>\n
Ford, who is now 33, has earned over 100 caps and commands great respect within the environment, was the man in possession of the jersey at the start of the Six Nations, but poor performances against Scotland and Ireland saw Fin Smith take over.<\/p>\n
The younger Smith has started England\u2019s<\/a> past four Tests and is seen by many as their long-term option at 10, but he still has plenty to learn.<\/p>\n Dramatic reversal in England\u2019s form<\/p>\n O\u2019Gara<\/a> was joined on ITV\u2019s The Debrief with Dan and ROG by Wales great Dan Biggar, who kicked off the discussion by looking at why the Red Rose went from winning 12 in succession to losing five Tests in a row.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the autumn, England were absolutely succinct and clear that they were applying pressure to other teams. Now, if that meant they missed the odd opportunity to shift the ball then so be it,\u201d Biggar said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe games in which they\u2019ve changed their maybe selection and brought people in, it looks as if they\u2019re still trying to find a way.<\/p>\n \u201cAre they applying pressure? Are they looking to shift it?<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re a coach, does your selection and the cattle you\u2019ve got dictate the game plan? Or is it vice versa?\u201d<\/p>\n O\u2019Gara responded: \u201cI think it does, I think you most definitely play to everyone\u2019s strengths.<\/p>\n \u201cYou look at the challenge facing England at the minute; you\u2019ve gone from a Wilkinson into a Farrell, two of the biggest characters that ever played the game \u2013 dominators.<\/p>\n \u201cThen you\u2019re asking a Fin Smith, Marcus Smith or a George Ford to take the keys to the castle and it\u2019s very difficult.<\/p>\n \u201cJust in terms of how you\u2019re meant to implement your thoughts when you\u2019re not too sure. Are you starting this week? Are you on the bench? Are you out of the 23?\u201d<\/p>\n Fiji v England: Five takeaways as Steve Borthwick\u2019s men end the losing run by \u2018suffocation\u2019 in the Liverpool heat<\/a><\/p>\n Fin Smith plays in a Northampton Saints that are renowned for their free-flowing style, which is in stark contrast to England.<\/p>\n