Ford and Farrell can be Lions’ axis to halt All Blacks

The ultra-successful George Ford/Owen Farrell midfield axis could be the Lions special weapon against New Zealand says former Red Rose fly-half Alex King.
The peerless pair have been at the heart of England’s recent success, with Ford being compared to Kiwi maestro Beauden Barrett and Farrell’s tackling ability, kicking and game control marking him as a viable Lions contender at inside-centre.
King told The Rugby Paper: “Warren Gatland will use the Six Nations to finalise his Lions squad and guys like Jonny Sexton, Dan Biggar and Finn Russell are all in the frame, but you have to say that as a combination George and Owen, right, are working very well.
“England’s recent try-scoring record shows how important it is to have two players in the midfield now who can create, see space and be able to execute the skill-set to exploit it.
“George and Owen are both brilliant passers of the ball, both kick well and their decision-making is absolutely spot on. It means you can attack both sides of the field and they can take the pressure off each other and help each other play.
“If you couple that with the pace and quality of players outside those two, you’ve got a pretty potent combination and it’s no surprise England are scoring so many tries. Eddie’s incredibly fortunate to have such depth at his disposal.”
A Rugby Paper survey reveals England are scoring more tries per match than at any time since the World Cup-winning glory days, with Ford and Farrell making it increasingly difficult for boss Eddie Jones to upset a winning formula.
In 11 matches before yesterday’s clash with Argentina, Jones’s side had notched 40 tries at 3.63 per game, compared to 321 tries at 3.87 per game under Sir Clive Woodward.
In stark contrast, England managed just 2.5 tries per match under Stuart Lancaster’s regime, while the records of previous incumbents Martin Johnson (2.1), Brian Ashton (1.86) and Andy Robinson (2.87) pale alongside those of Jones.
King added: “How he integrates the likes of Ben Te’o or Manu Tuilagi, I don’t know, but at the moment the midfield of Ford, Farrell and Jonathan Joseph or Elliot Daly is working really well and it will take a brave man to change that.”
King believes comparisons between Ford and world player-of-the-year Barrett are fair.
“Some of George’s passing against South Africa and Fiji was of the highest order,” he said.
“It’s a delayed pass he’s perfected, just at the last moment making the right decision, and the quality and execution is absolutely first rate. He runs with the ball as well and, like New Zealand are with Barrett, we’re lucky to have him.”
Meanwhile, King believes Elliot Daly’s versatility at centre, wing or fullback will also stand him in good stead for Lions selection.
King said: “First and foremost, Elliot’s got bags of pace and is another player who makes good decisions. He’s always active around the ball, his work-rate off it is phenomenal and he often ends up in the right place with the ball.
“He creates for others and finishes as well so he’s one of those quality players who does everything, a bit like New Zealand’s Ben Smith.
“He’s got a left foot as well and can kick goals from over the halfway line, so he’s somebody you’d always want in your team.”
Meanwhile, King revealed he still harbours international coaching ambitions after summer talks with Eddie Jones came to nothing.
King, who parted company with Northampton in October, explained: “All coaches have international ambitions but my next job is down in Montpellier with Vern Cotter and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.”
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