BREAKING: Owen Farrell set to start for England against Chile

Rugby News
Monday, 18 September 2023 at 12:39
screenshot 2023 09 18 at 123820
Owen Farrell is odds-on with William Hill to start as number 10 in England’s next Rugby World Cup match against Chile. 
Available for selection following his suspension, the England skipper is just 1/3 to make a return to the squad as number 10, and looks set to replace George Ford (9/4) in the line-up, while Marcus Smith is a 9/2 chance to start.
England’s odds to win a second World Cup shortened to 10/1 from 16/1 following their Argentina victory but William Hill were less impressed with the win over Japan, so they remain that price to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
William Hill spokesperson, Lee Phelps, said: “There’s been plenty of talk about Owen Farrell’s potential return to the England squad, but at 1/3 to start as number 10 against Chile, we fully expect the England skipper to replace George Ford in the first 15.
“England’s brand of rugby isn’t popular, but it’s been effective in their two games so far and that’s seen their price to lift the Rugby World Cup contract to 10/1, while they are now just 7/2 to reach a fifth World Cup final.”
William Hill – Rugby Union – Rugby World Cup
Owen Farrell 1/3
George Ford 9/4
Marcus Smith 9/2
South Africa 11/4
France 11/4
Ireland  4/1
New Zealand 4/1
England 10/1
Australia 20/1
BAR 33/1
France 11/10
South Africa 6/5
Ireland  13/8
New Zealand 7/4
England 7/2
BAR 9/1

Four England players Steve Borthwich should drop and who should replace them

#1. Jonny May

Express 5/10: "Clumsy late challenge on Lemeki handed Rikiya Matsuda a simple penalty and added to the self-inflicted pressure on England."
Mail Online 4/10: "Did not touch the ball in the first 40 minutes and conceded a penalty for a late hit that gifted territory to Japan."
Rugby Pass 4/10: "Not a game for wingers. When is it ever in the Borthwick era? Didn’t feature in the opening half apart from a leap to cover a Japan cross kick that went into touch and then a late clip on a clearing kicker that gave the opposition a scored penalty from where the ball landed. "
The Guardian 5/10: "Didn’t touch the ball in the first half, though gave a needless penalty away, but more involved in second. Is in the side to chase kicks."
Replacement: Henry Arundell

#2. Alex Mitchell

Express 4/10: "Error-prone night for the squad bolter who looked unsure which way to turn at times. Kicked terribly."
Rugby Pass 6/10: "Impressive against Argentina when he brought unpredictability to the proceedings, he was way more measured here and it was his 50th-minute kicking away of possession that rankled with the booing crowd."
Mail Online 4/10: "Kicked away a lot of possession and failed to inject the tempo to break up Japan’s defensive structure. Poor day at the office."
Replacement: Danny Care

#3. Manu Tuilagi

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Took an age for him to feature with England’s attack offering crumbs and Japan’s flexible approach when they were in possession avoiding his channel. Gave way on 69 for Ollie Lawrence."
The Guardian 5/10: "Made a couple of dents as the first half wore on but always likely to be on the periphery when the ball is kicked to the skies so much."
Mail Online 5/10: "Hitting hard lines on line-out starter plays but breakdown in communication with Ford resulted in turnovers and lost territory."
Replacement: Ollie Lawrence

#4. Elliot Daly

Express 5/10: "Handling suspect and kicked too often when England had decent possession but one nice flick to Alex Mitchell."
Mail Online 4.5/10: " Dominant in his aerial battles but strategy to pin Japan back in coffin corner with grubber kicks often resulted in lost possession."
Planet Rugby 5/10: "Obviously used as another kicking option in that England backline and it was done well at times, but he certainly overdid it."
Rugby Pass 4/10: "Cagey start which featured getting a hospital pass from Ford that saw him bundled into touch. Then spilled possession with an England attack entering the 22 and was rarely noticed afterwards."
Replacement: Max Malins
loading

Loading