Steward could be long-term answer to No12 problem

YET again the burning question for England is who to pick at 12. It is extraordinary how this remains central to their plans going forward. Of course, this time it is complicated by Owen Farrell’s training ground injury but, to be honest, I wouldn’t have picked him at 12 anyway even though I’m sure that is what Eddie intended to do. While Marcus Smith is being given free rein at fly-half, I see Farrell as a No10 contesting that position with Smith and reverting to the bench as cover for 10 and 12 when Smith is preferred. So what are the options?

Well, one idea is to move Henry Slade from 13 to 12 and bring in an outside centre — perhaps Luke Northmore, possibly Joe Marchant or even Jack Nowell has been suggested — but again that smells of compromise. Slade is a 13, that’s where he plays best for Exeter and England, that’s where he exerts the most influence.

Selecting him there would also run the risk of diluting the Smith effect. I want Smith to play exactly as he does

for Quins but, if he has the more experienced Farrell or Slade on his shoulder for 80 minutes and in his ear, that might not happen.

So I believe we are talking Gloucester’s Mark Atkinson, a specialist 12 most of his life and an unsung hero at his club. He has come to international rugby late but that shouldn’t count against him and his inclusion does not smack of compromise. He is a big bloke who can make a dent but he also possesses a more subtle passing game. He is happy playing off a 10 who calls all the shots.

How can one position cause such strife? It did for England in 2015 with the muddled thinking over the late introduction of Sam Burgess and it has plagued Eddie ever since. In one way Manu Tuilagi is the issue. An injury-free Manu would have won more than 100 caps but the gods have decided otherwise, which has created the problem.

Perhaps you start thinking outside the box. England have two classy young full-backs in Freddie Steward and Max Malins. Perhaps the former, with size, power and skill, could be switched to 12 longterm, although the heat of probably the most competitive Six Nations in modern years is not that time. Keep with specialists for now.