Freddie’s all ready to be a class act

OWEN FARRELL’S positive Covid test left Eddie Jones to choose between a fly-half and a fullback to play No.10 for England.

Should he go with Marcus Smith, a fly-half who has barely trained all week, or George Furbank (below), a fullback who has barely played as a stand-off.

It sparked the sort of fevered debate England fans have routinely had around fullback selection in the three and a half years since Mike Brown was jettisoned.

Yet not today as there appears broad consensus that Leicester youngster Freddie Steward is the real deal.

Since Brown’s last game in 2018 England have had 40 Test matches and started Elliot Daly in 31 of them.

Daly is a gifted centre but as a fullback even now the jury is out, as the Lions showed by picking him in midfield against South Africa. Occasionally brilliant in attack, rather less convincing when taking a high ball or making a last-ditch tackle.

At the risk of over-burdening a 20-year old, those questions do not arise when it comes to Steward (top). He is already a fullback and a good one.

He’s taken to Premiership life like a duck to water with Leicester and the early indications are that he is bringing the same poise to the international game.

Steward is 6’5 and if you’re thinking that sounds too big for a fullback let me refer you to Jordie Barrett, the All Blacks No.15 of the same height.

Barrett (right) is a brilliant player whose height helps him rule the skies and carry through the first tackle.

So too Steward whose assuredness at the back, ability to get off the ground and turn defence into attack has been a recurring theme in Leicester’s unbeaten start to the season.

The way the box kick is used as an attacking ploy these days to force 50-50 catches, rather than just to exit your own half, his ability to dominate in that area is priceless.

Tonga will, of course, bring raw physicality, but I’m expecting Steward to provide the class.