"Bench Farrell" - The exciting backline Woodward wants England to pick during the Autumn

WOODWARD WROTE: "There is another very tight call at full back where Freddie Steward has size, presence and great assurance under the high ball while Max Malins has pace, guile and a try scorer's instinct.

"The compromise is to pick Malins on the wing but I'm not convinced he's a top-level winger. He could be a brilliant full back, though. My wings would have been Adam Radwan and Louis Lynagh — pace, hunger and skill — but alas Lynagh has disappeared from the squad despite his fine start to the season. 

"Jonny May and Anthony Watson are on notice, only their best form will suffice from now on and neither is making waves."

WOODWARD WROTE: "If Smith gets the nod, Farrell must go on the bench. England need a fit Manu Tuilagi — or someone with his qualities — playing 12. England must find a 10-12-13 combination that is going to frighten the world.

"I don't think Smith and Farrell together will worry those teams who have kicked on since Japan 2019. Smith (or Farrell) at 10, Manu at 12 and Henry Slade at 13 is as good as anything out there — all playing in their best positions."

DID YOU KNOW? He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team, Manu Samoa, because his brother Freddie was selected for Samoa at the World Cup in 1991, the year Manu was born

Woodward wrote: "I've been beating the Smith drum for a long time and would have had him starting for England games long before this autumn.

"He's an exceptional, potentially once-in-a-generation talent capable of transforming the way England attack and bringing all of their enormous firepower to bear. In that respect he reminds me of Jason Robinson.

"He can be a game-changer for England, just as Jason's incredible attacking threat added so much when he came over from rugby league, winning 51 caps between 2001 and 2007.

"As a coach you say a prayer of thanks when such a talent comes along, they can lift the mood and ambition of an entire squad. Smith has that ability.

"England's opponents will be hoping they don't find a way of fully tapping into his talent and energy.