Now, Saints have been defensively flaky for much of this campaign and this first-phase try came far too easily, even when one recogonises that they were down to 14 men because of a late yellow card to Tom James. That said, Daly was in the England picture prior to the Six Nations. Having been jettisoned by Eddie Jones, his outstanding form over the first half of this season had earned a recall under Borthwick before a hamstring tear derailed a possible Test return.
We will have to wait to know where England’s head coach is planning on fielding Daly. As McCall stressed on Saturday, the 30-year-old is comfortable and effective at full-back, wing and outside centre. Rare versatility makes him just about the perfect No 23.
England must tap into Farrell and Daly’s mutual trust
Daly has come through a strange, injury-hit four-year cycle, which began with a move to Saracens and the salary-cap scandal. He has certainly grown into a more robust defender since 2019, yet of most value to Borthwick will be an instinctive understanding with Farrell. The latter, imperious against Northampton, is at his best when sharing a backline with at least one additional, assured playmaker. Farrell and Daly possess a mutual trust that England must attempt to tap into, whether as a 10-13, a 10-11 or a 10-15 double-act. When one identifies an opportunity, they communicate the landscape to the other and act upon it. Cohesion begets conviction.
One is right-footed, the other left-footed. As a duo, they swing behind breakdowns to attack space and set the shape of phase-play attack neatly. Daly could push up to the midfield or be used as a roaming wing if Freddie Steward is retained at full-back. The configurations of Borthwick’s teams for the four World Cup warm-up matches in August will be intriguing.
Goode and Daly architects of Saracens’ evolution
Back to Saracens, though, and McCall’s dilemma. For around 13 years, on the way to myriad trophies, Goode has been a second pair of eyes and a skilful outlet for Farrell. Six days after his 35th birthday, in his 45th consecutive knockout game for Saracens, he sparked a bright opening. First, he instigated the 80-metre break-out from Nick Tompkins’ through-the-legs pass inside the hosts’ 22. Minutes later, his swift kick through released Sean Maitland. Not for the first time, one wondered how Goode has not accrued more than 21 caps. It is all theoretical now, but he may have made life easier for Farrell at times.
Tellingly, Goode and Daly were name-checked by Phil Dowson as the on-field architects of Saracens’ attacking evolution. The Saints director of rugby suggested that everything flows from the decisions made by those two. McCall was quick to praise Maitland and Malins too, though, and knows that he has an extremely difficult call ahead. Shoehorning in Daly at outside centre and dropping the flinty Alex Lozowski would also feel brutally tough.
“We’re in the luxurious position that we’ve got incredible players,” McCall said. “Max Malins has been superb of late and I thought Sean was great. He scored two tries but some of his defensive reads were great. Goodey had a strong game and Elliot did well when he came on. It’s a tough choice, and it always is to leave someone out.”
Saracens can give England its spine back
Farrell represents a trump card for Saracens in their bid to land a first Premiership title for four years. He has only lost two club matches that he has started this season, against London Irish and La Rochelle. His left-footed nudge for Maitland’s second try in this weekend’s Premiership semi-final was sublime. A slicing break from a Jamie George pull-back in the 34th-minute also caught the eye, even if it should have been complemented by a pass inside to Jackson Wray rather than a longer one towards Maitland. “I think he’s so in control of his game,” purred McCall afterwards.
Crucially, though, Saracens surround Farrell with creative lieutenants as well as abrasive operators such as Nick Tompkins at inside centre. Ireland and France have shown the value of existing chemistry, the former leaning heavily on Leinster players and the latter installing a Toulouse spine of Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack and Thomas Ramos. McCall would never lecture Borthwick, but did answer a question about the importance of Goode and Daly to Saracens with a truism that will have England supporters nodding.