"Farrell doesn't get in" - Mike Brown picks his England backline for Six Nations

Sunday, 21 November 2021 at 09:14

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byRugby Rucker

Former England fullback Mike Brown saw Saturday as 'changing of the guard' as he predicts the exciting backline we will see during the 2022 Six Nations.

"It felt like a real changing-of-the-guard moment at Twickenham," wrote Brown in his column for the Mail Online.

"We experienced a similar transition four years ago, when Sam Underhill and Tom Curry came in for James Haskell and Chris Robshaw. This time around, though, it feels like an even bigger turnover.

"With new talent coming through, it’s hard to see how Owen Farrell can get back into the starting XV."

MIKE BROWN'S BACKLINE FOR THE SIX NATIONS:

#BACK-THREE:

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
14. Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons)
11. Max Malins (Saracens)

BROWN WROTE: "Freddie Steward is a rock and is the man in my old No 15 jersey now. Nobody else comes close. The Springboks always pose the toughest challenge for a full back and he came through with flying colours — all bar one or two at the end."

Freddie Steward of England goes over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK

#CENTRES:

13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
12. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks)

BROWN WROTE: "Slade could have been man of the match. He looked brilliant and was the architect of two England tries. It makes such a difference when he is allowed to play with freedom. He has a rugby brain like Will Greenwood. So smart.

"I would say he is better than Greenwood in terms of athletic ability and distribution skills: long pass, short pass, kicking. If he were a New Zealander, he would be starting for the All Blacks. If everyone’s fit, you have Smith, Slade and Manu Tuilagi."

Henry Slade of England kicks the conversion during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#HALFBACKS:

10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
9. Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks)

BROWN WROTE: "Farrell is shoehorned into the team for his leadership qualities but, right now, he is not the country’s outstanding No 10 or No 12 and only merits a place on the bench. Marcus Smith and Henry Slade are the form players and you have to let their partnership blossom."

Try Celebrations for Marcus Smith of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK