ENGLISH HEAD COACH Stuart Lancaster is reportedly set to drop George Ford for Saturday’s huge Pool A meeting with Wales at Twickenham.
Several British newspapers are reporting that Bath out-half has been axed in favour of Saracans’ Owen Farrell, while Sam Burgess will apparently get the nod in the centre in the absence of the injured Jonathan Joseph.
Henry Slade had been touted to slot in alongside Brad Barritt in the centre, but it seems that Lancaster has opted to make some controversial calls ahead of the crucial meeting with their neighbours.
Ford has been Lancaster’s first choice out-half this year, and started the opening game win against Fiji on Friday night, kicking eight points in the 35-11 win.
He was replaced by Farrell with 18 minutes to play, with England going on to score 17 more points to wrap up a bonus point.
While Farrell looks to have impressed Lancaster enough to start, the inclusion of Burgess seems to be forced, with Jonathan Joseph struggling with a chest injury.
On Tuesday, backs coach Andy Farrell said that Joseph had not been ruled out, but it seems like Burgess will be getting the nod over Henry Slade at inside centre, with Brad Barritt swapping outside.
