England backs coach Andy Farrell is delighted to possess competition for places when he looked forward to the upcoming Six Nations Championship.
Fly-half is one area where the English possess real talent as Freddie Burns, Toby Flood and Owen Farrell battle it out for the starting jersey.
And for the latter's father, Andy, he believes it's a great thing for the side as they look for silverware.
"There is competition at 10, there is competition there across the board," he told Sky Sports.
"Freddie has played very well at club level and he had a 20-minute spell against New Zealand so he will obviously get confidence from that, but Owen and Toby are also playing well, so there is competition throughout the squad.
"It was a very difficult squad to pick because a lot of players are playing well and are in form."
Burns' team-mate at Gloucester, Billy Twelvetrees, was also included in boss Stuart Lancaster's selection and Farrell continues to be impressed by the inside centre.
"Billy Twelvetrees is a talented player who has had a lot of experience at 10, so he gives you options at both 10 and 12," he added.
"He obviously has got the brain of a 10 but the physicality of a 12 that can get you over the gain-line and do the hard yards as well, so he is another guy that we are looking to expose to international football and I think it's good for everyone concerned."
Comments
jestnation says...
Agree.
Twelvetrees a real prospect at 12 but definitely not a fly half.
Sadly when most people say "he can cover fly half" what they actually mean is "can kick." Two different things in my opinion.
Posted 13:50 11th January 2013
TVaddict says...
@APV1
Totally agree. Twelvetrees has excellent potential at 12, but has always been a disaster at 10.
Posted 21:01 10th January 2013
Centre12 says...
@markmassive
Spot on, Flood just can't cut the mustard at Test level, hopefully Ford takes over from Flood completely by the end of the season. I would also add Strettle to that scrap pile.
Posted 06:52 10th January 2013
markmassive says...
I personally hope the coaches now see Flood as 3RD choice fly half. Farrell and Burns particularly are so much better than he is. Put him on the scrap pile along with Waldrom and Ashton.
Posted 18:18 09th January 2013
APV1 says...
I disagree. Last time 36 played at 10 he was shown up. He's an excellent 12, with plenty of potential. But only a back-up 10 at best.
Posted 17:52 09th January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Hey Andy, dare ya to drop your son, move Flood to 12 and play Alex Goode at 10...
Posted 17:38 09th January 2013