Rugby World Cup: Recalled Farrell promises to take direct approach

Oct 4 2007 by Ian Laybourn, Liverpool Daily Post

ANDY FARRELL will epitomise the “direct approach” England intend adopting to muscle Australia out of Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final at Stade Velodrome.

England head coach Brian Ashton has packed his side with experience, admitting a preference for “players who have been there in these sort of situations before.”

While Farrell’s rugby union Test career has not reached double figures with regard to caps, his big-match temperament gleaned from years playing at the highest level in league could prove vital to England’s cause.

And Ashton will send out a front-five that tips the scales at a combined weight of 91 stones, recalling World Cup captain Phil Vickery and hooker Mark Regan in the front-row, together with giant Wasps lock Simon Shaw.

England, realistically, know they cannot become involved in a Barbarians-style extravaganza against arguably the tournament’s best back division.

And having reduced Australia’s scrum to rubble at Twickenham two years ago, England are once again targeting set-piece domination in their quest for a semi-final place.

Although England will not admit it publicly, so-called pretty rugby is not on their agenda this weekend. Brute strength, physical authority and defensive organisation will take centre-stage.

Ashton said: “For this game we need the direct approach Andy Farrell brings. He has come on a couple of times now as a replacement and done, I feel, particularly well.

“He has been a threat to opposition lines in terms of his kicking game, defensive work and general leadership and game management.

“That is what we are looking to bring to the game on Saturday.

“He’s taken a while in this World Cup tournament to get himself where he is now.

“For the first time in a long time he is training regularly, and he has got better and better as the tournament has gone on.”

Farrell, dropped following the record 36-0 World Cup loss to South Africa 19 days ago, replaces Olly Barkley in midfield as one of five personnel changes following the Pool A victory over Tonga in Paris last Friday.

Farrell took over from a defensively-suspect Barkley early in the second half, and made a try-scoring contribution as England booked their place in the last eight.

Full-back Jason Robinson, meanwhile, has recovered from a hamstring injury sustained against South Africa, with Josh Lewsey moving to the wing instead of Mark Cueto, who was unavailable for selection due to a hamstring strain.

Three switches in the pack see hooker Regan preferred to George Chuter, Vickery back at tighthead prop for Matt Stevens and Shaw replacing Steve Borthwick.

Flanker Lewis Moody, meanwhile, wins his 50th cap in an unchanged back-row after the Tonga clash, which means Lawrence Dallaglio remaining on the bench.

Farrell’s union career has been severely disrupted by injuries, but he now faces his biggest game since switching codes and joining Saracens from Wigan.

And with Vickery returning for his first start since completing a two-match ban, flanker Martin Corry hands back the captaincy duties after leading England admirably against Samoa and Tonga.

Ashton added: “It is important we get the most experienced players in the front-five on the field at the start of the game this week. It will be a massive battle area, and I am perfectly happy we have got the right players on the field. The changes in the front-row signify we are looking for a strong emphasis scrummaging-wise at the weekend.

“Given the nature of the game and the importance of it, it was important to go with players who have been there in these sort of situations before.”