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Rugby Union

Carling: England need injection of pace

25/02/2007

Former England captain Will Carling believes that the current back line of the national side needs more pace in its midfield if they are to achieve success.

Carling thinks that rugby league convert Andy Farrell does not possess sufficient speed to pose a significant enough threat on the international sage and has called for the player to be replaced.

He said: "You can't play international rugby at centre without pace.

"The line-up of Jonny Wilkinson, Farrell and Mike Tindall does not pose the threat it needs to for England."

Farrell has played just three times in an England jersey but Carling feels he has seen enough to know that the former Wigan man does not have what it takes at international level.

Carling thinks that England have improved in a number of areas under new coach Brain Ashton but that the combination at centre still needs to be resolved before the side can function as a cohesive unit.

The former Harlequins centre feels that the potential of the side's wingers is being diminished by the slowness of the midfield.

He said: "You might well have fast runners in Jason Robinson, Josh Lewsey and David Strettle on the outside, but that makes it too easy to defend if there is no threat on the inside."

Carling was full of praise for the Irish side which beat England.

"They are an exceptional side with exceptional talent, and they had an exceptional day," he said.

However, he felt that England should not panic following the loss but look to make one or two changes in the side where necessary.

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