Rugby Union: Saracens Boss Backs Farrell's England Bid

If there are any lingering doubts in Brian Ashton's mind about selecting Andy Farrell in his first England team today, they are not shared by Farrell's club, Saracens. The Saracens coach, Alan Gaffney, yesterday backed the former Great Britain rugby league captain to start against Scotland at Twickenham this Saturday and believes he has the ability to make a serious impact on the Six Nations Championship.

Whether he starts alongside Jonny Wilkinson or not - and Ashton will be sorely tempted - no potential England debutant since Jason Robinson six years ago has created the kind of pre-match stir that Farrell is about to generate. According to Gaffney, however, the only risk involved would be in not picking the 31-year-old, who has played only seven first-team union games as a centre.

"I'm delighted for Andy Farrell that it looks like he will start against Scotland," said Gaffney, the Australian coach who initially agreed with Ashton's predecessor Andy Robinson that Farrell should play in the back row. "I must admit I didn't think he would progress as quickly as he has done. It's been a delight seeing how far he's come.

"He's got the ability to play the game going forward and laterally and there aren't many players like that. He's made tremendous strides and definitely justifies selection in the national side. When you've got a left-footed kicker at 12 it's a huge plus. I thought for a while he might be exposed defensively at 12. Although he's a good tackler it's a difficult position to defend in but he's developed very well in that area too."

None of this will be news to Ashton, who has tracked Farrell's career since he was a teenager playing league at Wigan. If the coach does not play him against either the Scots or next week's opponents Italy, England will have no way of knowing if their expensively poached recruit has the ability to cut the mustard in this year's World Cup. They are also relatively short of options in the position, although London Irish's Brian Smith also put in a word for Mike Catt yesterday. The 35-year-old Catt came safely through his comeback game yesterday after a shoulder injury and may be among the 22 names unveiled today. "Catty put his hand up," reported Smith. "On a losing side he played well and if Brian Ashton wants someone in midfield then Mike put his best foot forward."

Catt's participation, though, will hinge on the Wilkinson question. To judge by the universally positive feedback on the fly-half in the past 72 hours it will now be something of a surprise if Wilkinson is not in the 22. It might even be better if he started rather than sat on the bench.

Everyone in English rugby, meanwhile, should spare a thought this morning for poor Dan Ward-Smith, whose hopes of a first cap have been cruelly dashed by a dislocated kneecap, which looks certain to rule the Bristol No8 out of the entire championship. It offers deposed captain Martin Corry the chance to win his 50th cap as part of the starting XV as England seek to put the past behind them. "It has been very subdued and conservative over the last six months and it is vital we go out and express ourselves," stressed Catt.

Sale's No8 Sebastien Chabal, meanwhile, is included in France's squad of 22 for Saturday's trip to face Italy in Rome. Raphael Ibanez of Wasps leads the side.

France Backs Yachvili, Mignoni, Skrela, Traille, Fritz, Jauzion, Clerc, Dominici, Heymans, Poitrenaud. Forwards Szarzewski, Ibanez, Marconnet, De Villiers, Milloud, Thion, Nallet, Pape, Betsen, Bonnaire, Chabal, Harinordoquy.