Owen Farrell does not drop his standards - Cuthbert

Alex Cuthbert, a former British and Irish Lion who has experienced the highest echelons of rugby, believes the standards set by Owen Farrell remain exceptionally high, qualities that appear pertinent to his continued consideration in England's broader midfield structure. While Farrell is currently immersed in Super Rugby action with Racing 92, with his last appearance for England occurring earlier this season, the whispers around the upcoming Rugby Championship window include intriguing possibilities. According to Cuthbert's assessment, the combination linking Owen Farrell and fly-half Fin Smith could indeed be one to watch.

Cuthbert recently pointed towards a specific instance in the British and Irish Lions' summer tour match against the First Nations and Pasifika XV as indicative of the potential chemistry or tactical flexibility available to the Wallabies' rivals. In that particular 24-19 victory, the dynamic Farrell switched roles, playing outside as fly-half while 23-year-old Fin Smith operated from the number 10 position, demonstrates a coachability and adaptability that have perhaps not been fully exploited at the international level before.

This Lions game, significantly, featured Smith in the fly-half jersey, having been shifted away from the pivot role earlier in the year. This transition suggests a development beyond mere opportunity; Cuthbert's "see" carries weight here, implying not just observation but a belief backed by understanding of how players operate. Fin Smith's selection as the starting fly-half for England's upcoming Test series, following Marcus Smith's temporary demotion, places him firmly in the spotlight. Now, with Farrell potentially roaming beyond or integrated more fluidly into a two-backline system he stretched considerably during his international tenure at centre before transitioning to fly-half, a new dynamic emerges.

Cuthbert's view carries considerable weight because it extrapolates performance from a major match like the Lions' tour game and interprets its implications for international Test selection. The move, if implemented by head coach Joe Schmidt, would represent a significant departure from England's often traditional setup, relying heavily on proven fly-halves. Integrating a player known for his flair but also for playing largely at centre would require courage and confidence in his midfield capabilities. However, Cuthbert's opinion, drawn from high-level experience, suggests he sees tangible attributes that warrant consideration. Is a player like Farrell, renowned for his vision, defensive work-rate, and ability to break the gain-line preferably from the outside channel, truly limited? Perhaps Schmidt is considering a blend that simply hasn't been risked previously, as the evidence from last summer indicates it *can* work and maintain high standards.

The evolving international landscape post-Six Nations, post-World Cup inevitably involves re-evaluating combinations and player roles. Farrell’s departure prompted questions about England's creative impetus and straight-three options off the shoulder, areas the 2015 World Cup-winning fly-half arguably made integral to their attacking playbook. The pairing of Smith, maturing from part-time 10, and a more attacking-minded centre could offer intrigue for Schmidt. It asks how much of that Farrell flair, demonstrated while occupying the '9' jersey, can be translated or replicated when he is positioned at centre 15, operating slightly deeper alongside his fly-half partner? It also questions the workload capacity for a player adapting his game plan mid-season.

Ultimately, Cuthbert's backing of this potential shift serves as a subtle endorsement for an evolving England. It highlights the skilled analysis coach and ex-player can bring to the table, suggesting that even within rigid selection structures, evidence from high-performance action must influence future game planning. The immediate impact, however, hinges on Schmidt's interpretation of the evidence and his own evolving framework for the Wallabies' upcoming series down under. Pivotal to this discussion is the unifying figure of Owen Farrell, whose standards supposedly remain uncompromised, perhaps hinting his value as a potential creative catalyst and reliable midfield presence is still very much in the equation for the three-Test window that lies ahead.