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I agree entirely re Ford is a far more capable and brave defender than, say, Cipriani, and you don't need to hide him in the same way, but he does tend to go backwards and doesn't bring an aggressive defensive game. I heard someone argue once that Farrell's rush defence (with consequent missed tackles) was a specific game plan and when he goes it's when he knows there is cover behind him and he's trying to make the dominant hit/stop a move at source. From memory I don't feel like many of his missed tackles have led to clean line breaks but I may well be misremembering...
RE Slade - I agree - I'm sure he's in for his kicking and distribution, we need to get the ball to the back three and having Slade standing at 12/13 makes that more likely. I would also expect a lot of big runners coming off Slade's inside shoulder to target their young 13. He hasn't quite shown his Exeter form at international yet, although he stepped up this 6 nations in partnership with Manu, was immense in that performance against Ireland so hopefully he can bring that form into the world cup now...
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I think agressive rush defence used by farell was set up initally by one of the saracens defense coach of whom defense system basically relied upon taking up the space, i.e. event if you miss your tackle if you take the space quickly it destroy many of the best option of the attacker. But it does require that the all team defensive system is on the same page, and the back row has a lot of work with this system but I believe Burger and other teammates from Saracens didn't mind having to defend haha
paulbiche
This is an argument I have made in the past. But the more I have seen of the two, the more I have changed my view. Ford might not be the biggest, but he stays in the fight, slowing up the runner for his back row (or others) to complete the tackle. Farrell, complaints about no arms blah-blah aside, either makes the initial tackle or acts like a turnstile - there is no middle ground. I am actually more wary of his frailties in defence than Ford's.
Slade wasn't completely fit during his previous outing in the group stages. But he has all the skills. Unfortunately,we've yet to see his best at international level - seems like something in the top 5 inches. Hope he proves me wrong.
Joseph unlucky, his marshaling of the outside defence from 13 is excellent and he's a real threat to the line also. Maybe lacks the kicking game of Slade, which is where I think Eddie is going with this. Also, I think we will see England mixing up the first receiver with Slade and Farrell (and Mako and Sinckler), on occasion pushing Tuilagi into the 13 channel to attack the young lad for Aus.
But I'm an ex-hooker; what do I know about back play?