FARRELL WILL RUN SHOW FROM A BACK SEAT

OWEN FARRELL may not be England captain against Australia today but he will still run the show.

It is not in Farrell’s make-up to take a back seat. Relieving him of the captaincy has caused ripples but I like Eddie Jones’s thinking in handing the armband to Courtney Lawes.

You have a lot to think about as captain, and not having that extra responsibility takes some of the heat off Farrell on his return to the side.

He has plenty on his plate in developing the relationship with Marcus Smith.This is the 10/12 combination England wanted to use in the Six Nations but Farrell’s injury put a stop to that. It has been a headache area for England and Jones needs this version of it to work.

A lot of people are not Farrell fans but in a rugby team certain players bring confidence to those around them and he is one of them. Smith should benefit from playing with him.

This tour is critical for England in finding their best team with the World Cup coming next year because at the moment they no any idea.

Danny Care’s phoenix-from-the Ashes comeback at scrum-half and BillyVunipola’s return at No.8 will be interesting, as will Joe Cokanasiga and Jack Nowell on the wings, but there are more questions than answers in this England side.

A lot of players have a lot to prove. The next three weeks have to provide the answers because England need to be picking their strongest side game after game from a year out.

Jones cannot endlessly tinker. He has to allow his World Cup side to gel. TheA ustralian has an exceptional record against his homeland but that does not count for much given the Six Nations.

TheWallabies at home represent a stiff challenge, but if England do well it will be a fineWorld Cup launchpad.

One of the foundations for our 2003 triumph was success we enjoyed that summer in the southern hemisphere.

England need some strong displays to build confidence.

It is going to be a big series. ●Jason Robinson was speaking in association with Vodafone Business.