Farrell and Ford’s final face-off could shape England’s World Cup destiny

T he first rule of finals rugby is the same as it ever was. The team that maintain their composure when the pressure starts to mount are generally the side that prevail. And if your playmakers can display a sure touch in the final quarter, your odds shorten even more.

There were some good examples last weekend, not least from Munster’s Jack Crowley. When the moment came to nail Leinster with a late drop-goal in the Aviva Stadium, the 23-year-old was more than equal to the challenge to book his team a place in the United Rugby Championship final against the Stormers in Cape Town. It underlined why several good judges believe he has a lengthy Test career ahead of him.

In the cases of Owen Farrell and George Ford, however, a more urgent debate is resurfacing. Everyone knows Farrell and Ford are international-class fly-halves; they already have 190 England caps between them and were instrumental in steering, respectively, Saracens and Sale Sharks to this season’s Gallagher Premiership final. Their eagerly awaited Twickenham duel on Saturday week is now freighted with extra significance. Which of them will end up being lobbed the keys to No 10 when England kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign against Argentina in September?

It is a familiar question with a fascinating fresh twist. Because both Ford, 31, and Farrell, 30, have come through periods of turbulence to become properly rounded, mature match-winners. In Ford’s case injury and the emergence of Marcus Smith threatened to marginalise him at Test level. Farrell had the England captaincy taken from him last year and lost his goal-kicking mojo. Now, with a World Cup less than four months away, both look as composed and influential on the field as they have ever done.

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