The China Mail - England rugby coach Borthwick considering moving Earl to centre

Earl has been selected in his regular No 8 spot for England's series opener against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, with Guy Pepper at blindside flanker and rising star Henry Pollock on the bench.

But all three loose forwards could find themselves with back-line roles in subsequent November internationals at home to Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina.

Back-to-back world champions South Africa have pioneered the tactic of a 6-2 or even 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench, with 'hybrid' player Andre Esterhuizen, a back-row forward who can be drafted into the backline if needed, among the Springboks' replacements for their match against Japan at Wembley on Saturday.

Packing the eight permitted replacements with forwards -- as England have done against Australia -- puts a premium on players who can feature in both the pack and behind the scrum.

While Earl has spent time at inside centre for both Saracens and England, starting him there in an international match would represent a bold move by Borthwick.

- 'Ability' -

"Ben would be very effective there," said Borthwick after naming his team to play the Wallabies on Tuesday. "Is it something you'd want him to experience at club level? Ideally...That's Saracens' business not mine, but I have no hesitation starting him in a Test at 12 (inside centre) because he's got that ability."

Borthwick added: "Maybe, maybe not, it will happen this autumn. It's certainly a factor I'm considering. He's spent so much time training with the backs and you can see his skill set and his pace."

Turning to the possibility of deploying the 20-year-old Pollock in a back-line role, former England captain Borthwick said: "We've been looking at Henry on the wing. Henry's pace is a match for a lot of wingers. That kind of versatility is really important to us.

"Right now he's a young man and a back row forward. The situation with Ben is slightly different. Ben is such an experienced player and we've been investing for a long period with him in the centres."

In the key position of fly-half, Borthwick selected George Ford -- a veteran of over a hundred Tests -- to lead England's attack against the Wallabies.

Ford will continue in the No 10 shirt he wore throughout the recent tour of Argentina and the United States, with Fin Smith on the bench and Marcus Smith omitted from the matchday 23 entirely.

Fin Smith, who was first choice during the Six Nations, missed that tour as he was involved in the British and Irish Lions' 2-1 series win in Australia.

Marcus Smith was also a member of the Lions squad.

"These are tight calls I'm making with very good players," said Borthwick. "I could have selected any one of those three and they would have been brilliant."

Y.Parker--ThChM