Ben Earl could play centre for England against Wales, but not Scotland

Telegraph

17-02-2025

Scotland will arrive at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham smarting from a comprehensive loss against Ireland at Murrayfield. Their past record in the Calcutta Cup will provide comfort having beaten England four times in succession, including their last two visits to London. But balanced against that is the knowledge that they arrive with a side that is missing possibly four of their most creative players. Although they will hope to turn these facts into controlled belligerence, their base confidence cannot be that high.
Steve Borthwick's England finally arrested their series of narrow losses by getting over the line against France, but this challenge is the equal of the French game, if not more important. A win keeps their title hopes alive and builds on the positive elements of the French game. A loss revives the old doubts and condemns them to mid-table mediocrity. For these reasons, I believe Borthwick will make few changes to his starting XV.
There has been much discussion about the suggestion by former England coach Eddie Jones that Ben Earl be deployed at inside centre. Setting aside Jones' penchant for outlandish selection ideas (these included using winger Jack Nowell as a flanker), it is at least worth considering this option. Earl is a supremely dextrous player and, provided he eschews an occasional weakness for giving away needless penalties, his presence is of enormous benefit to England. Moving Earl to No 12 in the second half would allow England to make more use of their raft of back-row talent, both in the starting XV and from the bench. The back five of the scrum invariably record the highest work rates in Test-match rugby and this would allow three fresh back-five players to come off the bench.
Earl has played there before during the final 20 minutes of England's 52–17 win against Japan last year prior to the New Zealand series. Assessing the success of that change is almost impossible given that England were winning comfortably when it happened, but also tactically hamstrung by having a player sent off in Charlie Ewels. What this option did show was the advantage of using Earl's ability to get over the gain line and make metres after contact.
Starting Earl at centre, as opposed to moving him there later, has significant repercussions for the way England's outside centre and back three are brought into the game. Earl would also be tested far more thoroughly in defence by better teams than Japan. I have no doubt that Earl, like Owen Farrell before him, could 'do a job' at No 12 but the greater need is for England to solve their 20-year failure to establish a world-class centre partnership. If Earl is to be part of that consideration, he needs to be playing centre for his club as well as country.
At this stage, it would be too risky to play Earl at centre against Scotland, but later in the tournament, namely against Wales, it could be worth a go to see if it is a viable option going forward.
This centre discussion leads to Borthwick's selection of the starting No 10. If Fin Smith starts, at this stage of his fledgling career, he needs the stability of proven centres outside him. This is not just because of their familiarity with running lines and distribution, it is a question of the tactical information that experienced 12s constantly give the fly-half throughout a match. For the Scotland game, it is important that Smith settles early and is able to use his ability to let England play in the right areas of the pitch. This will deny Scotland the chance to knock England out of their stride; something they failed to do against Ireland.
In England's back three, Borthwick's options would be hugely improved if Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and George Furbank are fit. Should this not be so, Borthwick should retain Marcus Smith at full-back but consider Freddie Steward on the wing to counter the aerial threat of Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe.
Whoever is picked on the wing, Borthwick and his attack coach Richard Wigglesworth should study how the French have remodelled their use of wingers in both strike moves from first phase and in open play. Although poor handling cost France three tries in the first half, the latitude they gave Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud to leave their wings and pose a dual threat gave England's frontline defence significant problems.
Tommy Freeman and whomever is chosen to partner him have the power and ability to pose a similar threat for England. It is a question of planning for their inclusion in strike moves and allowing them the freedom to roam in loose play. Borthwick is known as a conservative coach, whatever he says to the contrary, but the potential for this innovation is now proven by the French. It is also supported by the role Freeman played in carrying the ball in the lead-up to England's opening try for Ollie Lawrence.