Move to No10 is clue to Jones’ World Cup

Plans

has been unable to convince Jones at Leicester that he is back to his best.

If Farrell takes the game by the scruff of the neck against the Springboks – a big if, given the many question marks hanging over England’s pack – a new template for Japan 2019 may be laid down.

“Owen’s a good decisionmaker and he has a very good tactical kicking game. He’s bit of a spiritual leader in our side so being close to the action will help in that regard,” said Jones from training in Portugal.

“He’s from good stock and he’s an aggressive competitor. We need that against South Africa, definitely. He does all the training that everyone else then does another 45 minutes of goal-kicking. I think he handles responsibility well.” Farrell’s influence within the England side has been growing exponentially under Jones to the point where he is now co-captain alongside Dylan Hartley. His move to his preferred position of No 10, revealed in yesterday’s Express, will only add to his clout.

Farrell has made the twin playmaker system work with his close friend Ford but an axis with Ben Te’o offers a different, more direct, dynamic approach.

Just how match fit the Worcester centre is after playing a total of 28 minutes all season following thigh surgery is questionable.

“I’m confident. I back myself that I can get out there and play,” said Te’o. “I feel good. It takes a bit of time to get the body going and get it resilient.

“I’ve been doing lots of training and have had a few hiccups with the rehab which is why I’ve been slow to get back. But I feel 100 per cent now.” It is a gamble by Jones but Henry Slade, who will play outside Te’o, approves.

“I think it gives us a really good balance for us in midfield whereas in the summer when we were on tour I was probably the bloke doing the main carrying off first phase and that’s not really my game,” said Slade.

“I enjoyed carrying but obviously I’m not quite as big as those other lads and not as effective. We’ve got some big lads in the midfield to do that now. That’s Benny’s strength. My game is more about being