FORD AXED, BURGESS IN
England’s huge gamble for Wales crunch
SAM BURGESS will be unleashed in England’s starting team against Wales on Saturday and George Ford is to be ousted at fly-half by Owen Farrell for the World Cup showdown at Twickenham.
Just one game into the campaign, the host nation are ripping up their pre-tournament plans in midfield, in light of an injury to Jonathan Joseph which will keep the Bath centre out of this crunch Pool A fixture.
Sportsmail understands that when Stuart Lancaster names his line-up tomorrow, the head coach will unveil an overhauled 10-12-13 combination of Farrell, Burgess and Brad Barritt.
It is a stunning development for Burgess ( right), just 11 months after he crossed codes to play rugby union.
He has thrived most in the back row at Bath but England have continued to regard him as a midfield candidate and he has made great strides during the summer
training camp. One Test start to date and two cameos off the bench have showcased his tackling power and ball-carrying clout, and Lancaster will expect him to match the threat posed by the mighty Welsh Lion Jamie Roberts. For Ford (right), however, this is an alarming and surprising setback. He was first-choice playmaker during the Six Nations when Farrell — his longterm friend — was injured, and he gave the national team added attacking potency, as best illustrated in the last-day try-spree against France. Despite a wobble during the warm-up game in Paris last month, Ford went into this World Cup as the trusted incumbent, so this is a shock demotion. What appears to have counted against him is that, tactically, England lost their way in the win over Fiji last Friday, allowing the Pacific islanders back into the contest to the point where an upset was a distinct possibility. The hosts gained extra impetus when their replacements came on in the second half, with Farrell providing direction and composure, and the likes of Burgess and Billy Vunipola leading a renewed charge towards the visitors’ line. The enforced withdrawal of Joseph will also have counted against Ford, as they operate so well in tandem as the creative hub of the team. Yesterday’s official line was that the outside centre was still in contention to feature against Wales, but in truth he has already been counted out. Defence coach Andy Farrell said: ‘It’s something and nothing. He has got a knock on his chest. If he is not fit it will not be more than a week anyway, probably.’ While determined to keep selection cards close to his chest, Farrell added: ‘We aren’t worried about any scenario. We are 100 per cent confident and comfortable with everyone.’ It also emerged yesterday that Gloucester No 8 Ben Morgan had taken a bang on the knee during the victory over Fiji and was unable to train on Monday. His place was already known to be under threat from a highly motivated Billy Vunipola, but the latest indications last night were that Morgan’s injury is not serious and he is on course to continue in the starting XV. The bench place vacated by Burgess will be filled by Saracens full back Alex Goode, who can also
provide cover at No 10.