Too late for Farrell - Ford - Sport in brief

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Farrell has suffered a series of injury setbacks since switching codes in a high-profile move in 2005 and at 32 he has struggled to recreate the form he produced as Great Britain captain with Saracens or England.

He was left out of England's first World Cup game against the USA and then had an uncomfortable match in the side's 36-0 humbling at the hands of South Africa and Ford, who knows Farrell from his time as a coach with Sarries, said: "A year out of the game has done him no favours."

He added: "He is getting to grips with it but it is probably a bit too late, with his age, to be where he wants to be.

"He is a great leader in terms of his talk and presence, but it is not that simple to say we are not using him as best we can.

"You have to look at the bigger picture - what we are doing from line-outs, kick returns, scrums - and get other bits and pieces in place first. It hasn't worked for us as a team yet, but we are still in the competition."