'Mark my words' - Owen Farrell nailed on as England's No. 10 but other positions 'up for grabs' - Lawrence Dallaglio

Owen Farrell is nailed on as England’s starting fly-half while he remains captain, says Lawrence Dallaglio, although other positions could be “up for grabs” after the Rugby World Cup.

The debate around the England No. 10 position raged on throughout the World Cup, where Steve Borthwick’s side finished third after a narrow semi-final defeat to eventual champions South Africa.

A TNT Sports poll on Saturday asked fans who they would select to start in England’s first Six Nations game against Italy next year.

Marcus Smith was the most popular choice with 35% of the votes, ahead of George Ford (30%), Farrell (26%) and Fin Smith (9%).

But former England international Dallaglio told TNT Sports that nothing will change while Farrell continues to skipper the national team.

“Owen Farrell is England’s No. 10 at the moment and he’s also England’s captain,” Dallaglio said.

“Unless you move the captaincy, there is no debate about who the No. 10 is.

“England have lost more games in the Six Nations than they’ve won in the last two years, so their target is to start winning games - beating Scotland would be nice, because we seem to lose to Scotland all the time.

“England’s No. 10 will be Owen Farrell. Marcus Smith is in the conversation, as is George Ford, but mark my words - Steve Borthwick and Owen Farrell are together on this.”

Despite his certainty around the fly-half role, Dallaglio believes that there will be a chance for new players to force their way into Borthwick’s plans as a new World Cup cycle begins.

“In the next tournament after a World Cup there are spaces up for grabs,” he said.

“If I’m playing today or next week, I’m laying a marker down, because Steve Borthwick is going to bring some new people into his squad and as far as I’m concerned, all places are up for grabs.”

Former Scotland captain Stuart Hogg suggested that Smith should be considered if England see him as their first-choice fly-half at the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

The Harlequins playmaker is 24 years old, while Farrell is 32 and Ford is 30.

“It’s a difficult one, if you’re looking at the here and now or looking to build towards the next World Cup,” Hogg said.

“Everyone has got different opinions on it. Most international teams now will be focused on how to build experience, pressure and momentum leading into the next World Cup.

“I know we’ve literally just finished this one. But are you looking at Marcus Smith for the here and now or for four years’ time?

“Because if he’s going to be the No. 10 in four years’ time, he has to be in the conversation right now.”

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