OWEN FARRELL must prove he can dine with rugby royalty after wrestling his No 10 shirt back from George Ford.
European and Premiership champion Farrell, 24, will lead England in the battle of Brisbane against Australia on Saturday.
His shift to fly-half has seen Luther Burrell come in at inside centre as part of coach Eddie Jones’ Bodyline mantra, with Marland Yarde also a shock call-up in place of Jack Nowell.
And Jones reckons Farrell’s class and ice-cool character will be vital to winning the First Test.
The 56-year-old said: “Now Owen is a bit calmer about his decisions.
“All the great No 10s in the world have been unflappable guys.
“They never look like they’ve got a hair out of place. They know exactly what they’re going to do.
“Have you ever seen Dan Carter sweat on a rugby field? Never. He’s always in control. Jonny Wilkinson was the same.
“That’s what you want from your No 10. You develop that through experience and maturity and that’s what he’s starting to do now.
“Owen’s got a great appreciation of how you win games of rugby.”
Farrell’s gain led to Ford’s pain as the Bath star was stripped of his shirt just 11 days after being booed by the Twickenham crowd.
Missing six out of seven kicks against Wales was one of the low points of the 23-year-old’s career.
Jones said: “George is unhappy not being the starting No 10 and I would be disappointed if he wasn’t.
“That’s how he should be. But he’s taken it on the chin.
“He’s a fantastic little guy. As I said after the Wales game I don’t think England rugby appreciates what a good player he is.
“He is all class. He’s a fine player now and he’s going to get better. We’ve got two tens, plus potentially Henry Slade who can change the way we play. It’s a great situation for us.”
Harlequins back Yarde got his chance after proving to Jones he was not a big-time Charlie.
Jones said: “He is a bit of a character. He has probably blown a bit of his career by being too big for his boots.
“He is back down to earth now and has the potential to be a really special player for us. He had a bit of an attitude on him so I sorted that out.”
Wallabies boss Michael Cheika gives a debut to 6ft 10in second-row Rory “three story” Arnold, as well as Samu Kerevi and Dane Haylett-Pett.
In response to Jones’ Bodyline shouts, Cheika said: “If it means aggressive footie that’s good. That’s the game. It’s a contact sport and we love that.
“Respect to our opponents if they bring it on. We’re up for it.”
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