Owen Farrell may be treated with part indifference and part disdain by England fans but he remains Mr Untouchable… when the captain is fit and it really matters, he will play

• Owen Farrell’s name was greeted with a mixed reaction, including some jeers 
• On the day he was set to break a record, the noise conveyed part indifference 
• But the captain is untouchable with Steve Borthwick certain of Farrell’s value 

There was a remarkable, telling moment before kick-off in England’s game against Samoa in Lille last Saturday, which laid bare the current public attitude towards the country’s top playmakers.

When the stands were just about full and the teams had finished their warm-ups, the line-ups were read out over the stadium tannoy.

As George Ford was announced at No 10, there was a thunderous roar from the England supporters who had made the journey to the north of France in vast numbers, for the final Pool D fixture.

This was fitting recognition for Ford’s impact at this World Cup so far – as the orchestrator of that stunning victory over Argentina on the opening weekend, with 14 men for all but three minutes – and the subsequent win over Japan in Nice.

The Sale fly-half also produced flashes of his creative class in a late cameo as Chile were swept aside on September 23. So the response of the English hordes was a tribute to his match-winning form and tournament influence.

Owen Farrell may have experienced a mixed reception but he remains England’s untouchable

When his name was read out before the win over Samoa, there was a mix of jeers and grumbles

Seconds later, Owen Farrell’s name was read out. The reaction was very different. It was a quieter mix of some restrained recognition and audible grumbles – even the odd boo and jeer.

On the day that the national captain was poised to become the country’s leading points-scorer, it was a noise which conveyed part indifference and part disdain.

This is not a twisting of events to suit a narrative. It was an unmistakeable and jarring moment – jarring in the sense that it showed how public opinion is so at odds with the views of those within the England set-up. Farrell went on to break Jonny Wilkinson’s points record and there was decent acclaim for that feat. 

But it was not one of his best days, far from it – capped by being timed-out when he took a crucial second-half penalty, a lapse which could have been horribly costly.

While the captain struggled to take charge of proceedings as England stumbled towards a shock defeat, it was Ford who was replaced – with the best part of half an hour remaining – to make way for Marcus Smith. 

He didn’t look best pleased and who could blame him? He has been imperious for much of this campaign and yet it was he rather than Farrell who was sacrificed in the quest for an injection of artistry.

Here was further proof, as if it were needed, that the skipper is untouchable. When he is fit and it really matters, he plays. Whatever the misgivings of English rugby followers, head coach Steve Borthwick has no such doubt in his mind about Farrell’s enduring value.

That much was revealed after the escape to victory in Lille, when he delivered an emphatic tribute. 

Despite Farrell being poised to break a record, the noise was part indifference and part disdain

Marcus Smith was brought on as a replacement for George Ford during the narrow win over Samoa 

Asked about the record achievement, Borthwick said: ‘It’s testament to a man who has dedicated himself to be the very best he can be – the best player, the best leader, the best person around the squad. He’s an incredible role model. He has had an impact on so many young lives.

‘It’s a privilege for me as a coach to work with him. Hopefully he will play many more times in an England shirt.’

There wasn’t much wiggle-room within those comments for a sudden change in selection. That Farrell could be left out is almost unthinkable, however much dissenting noise there is beyond the Red Rose camp.

The stark fact is that, at this stage – unlike in the experimental phase this regime went through in the Six Nations – Farrell is a certain starter and the back line will be constructed around him.

But head coach Steve Borthwick has no such doubt in his mind about Farrell’s enduring value

Unleashing Smith from the start at full back is evidently not a plausible scenario if Ford and Farrell are together at 10 and 12, so those clamouring for all-out attack will be left frustrated. Pragmatism will remain the default setting.

And if it is an either-or decision between the playmakers, to allow for a more conventional midfield double-act, it is hard to see Ford winning that particular vote. Merit could be a minor factor.

Against Fiji this weekend, England may have enough in their limited repertoire but it won’t suffice in a potential semi-final against France or South Africa. There is no prospect of them going for broke. 

It is either going to be Ford and Farrell, or Farrell with two bona fide centres – in which case Ford and Smith will compete for one bench place. If either of them are left out of the matchday 23, just wait for the soundtrack from the stands when the next England line-up is read out.

Perhaps there will be another unexpected twist as there was when it emerged that the England coaches were redeploying Smith at full back. Here’s hoping they surprise everyone again.

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