But you are absolutely are using a limited and flawed comparison of Tigers with and without Ford to support your argument about Ford's England credentials. It's the first thing you mention in your post to back up your claim that he's not England's best 10 and it's also not the first time you've tried to use that argument - I remember you saying the same thing a couple of times during the 6 Nations. Again, even if you were right, all it would prove is that for 3 games (twice against teams missing a raft of international players and once against Worcester) To'omua was better than Ford. Why you think that's a good enough argument to make multiple times is beyond me tbh.
Yes I am denying it because this season (post-MOC) he has absolutely been back to his best. Before the international break he was arguably the in form English 10 (all 3 looked good tbh) despite not having an armchair ride.
Years of instability with the constant sacking of coaches, no forwards coach for over half the season, continued increase in the money spent on backs at the expense of the pack and MOC being allowed complete control over all aspects of play I'd say had much more to do with the failure to make the top 4 than Ford replacing Burns. But what do I know, I just actually watch them.
Anyway we're straying dangerously close to being off-topic now. For me our best bet is 10. Ford, 12. Farrell 13. Tuilagi but I'm perfectly happy with Faz at 10 with Lozowski and Tuilagi alternating at 12 and 13. I understand why someone might be reluctant to bet on Manu being fit but he's had a decent record this calendar year, especially for a crash-ball centre.
