England Rugby World Cup winner slams ‘absolute madness’ as Farrell and Arundell call made

England’s Rugby World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward has blasted Steve Borthwick’s decision to leave Henry Arundell out of the side as ‘absolute madness’, as he weighed in on whether under-fire captain Owen Farrell should start against Fiji on Sunday. The pair have been roped into controversy in France after it was claimed they were involved in a scrap following a disagreement in training prior to the tournament, with Arundell set to miss out on a starting place again in Borthwick’s side.

The 20-year-old scored five tries in the 71-0 victory over Chile in the group stage but hasn’t been selected since by the England coach. Former international Andy Goode claimed earlier this week that Arundell’s exile from the matchday 23 was related to his bust-up with Farrell, 32. It has since been strongly denied.

Woodward, who was knighted shortly after guiding England to their maiden World Cup triumph in 2003, is concerned about the lack of pace in England’s squad. And he believes a player of Arundell’s talent should be handed a place in the starting 15, instead of ‘carrying the water’ for his team-mates.

“At World Cups, it’s game by game. England have won four from four and need to make it five from five,” Woodward wrote in the Daily Mail. “On the whole, the team still isn’t quick enough for me — even if it should be good enough to beat Fiji.

“I still don’t understand why Henry Arundell can’t get a game. To me, it’s absolute madness. What a waste it is to have a player of Arundell’s undoubted quality carrying the water. I would have him at full back alongside a couple of the flyers who did not even make the trip.”

Farrell has faced criticism for his performances at the World Cup after taking the place of George Ford on his return from injury, despite the fly-half’s impressive 27-point haul in the group stage opener against Argentina. Woodward, however, has given his backing to England’s all-time leading points scorer to produce the goods against Fiji when it truly matters.

“Farrell is world class at 10 and it’s right he starts there for England. He never wears No 12 for Saracens,” he added. “The big question for Borthwick is whether or not he thinks Farrell is the best No 10 in the England squad right now. Only he will know that. But Farrell’s selection for Fiji clearly tells me that in Borthwick’s eyes, he is.

“I’m a big fan of Farrell at his best. But I don’t think he has been at that level at the World Cup so far, predominantly because his suspension meant he is still lacking minutes. Playing him at 12 has also not helped him one jot. Farrell looked rusty against Chile and Samoa but there is no doubt he is a big game player and I expect him to be much improved against Fiji.

“I’m sure he won’t like this, but I actually feel sorry for Farrell. Because he is physically imposing for a fly-half, he gets moved too easily away from No 10. He has taken a lot of negative feedback from fans which he doesn’t deserve.”

England have won all four matches at the World Cup so far after edging past Samoa 18-17 in their final group match. They face Fiji in a bid to make the semi-finals on Sunday with a 4pm kick-off at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

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