Lancaster defends Farrell selection as England look to end losing streak

England head coach Stuart Lancaster defended his selection of Owen Farrell after the out-of-form half-back was moved to inside-centre for the QBE International against Samoa at Twickenham on Saturday.

George Ford was handed his first start at number 10, with Farrell moved inside as one of six changes to the team beaten by South Africa last week.

Farrell has come under fire for his performances this autumn, with some asking questions of his fitness, but he has survived another week and moves to the position he filled in the first two games of his international career in 2012, when he also partnered Brad Barritt in midfield.

And after two narrow defeats to New Zealand and the Springboks, Lancaster was quick to defend the man who has been his main pivot since he took the reins.

“I don’t think Owen was to blame for either performance, really,” he said. “Collectively, we didn’t get the wins we hoped. We weren’t a million miles away but didn’t get them. It’s one we wanted to look at. We looked in Italy at the end of the Six Nations from the bench. Owen’s a great communicator, a great leader, a great option and also support for George.”

Farrell and Ford played together for England at age group level and helped the under-20s reach the final of the 2011 Junior World Championship.

And while Lancaster expects Farrell to offer Ford support, he has encouraged the Bath man to “take the lead” in his first start.

In other changes, Ben Youngs comes in at scrum-half, replacing Danny Care who has been dropped following a collapse in form against New Zealand and South Africa.

Lancaster has overhauled his back row with James Haskell replacing Tom Wood at blindside flanker, and Ben Morgan promoted from the bench to No.8. Captain Chris Robshaw is the only survivor in that department.

Wood must settle for a substitute’s role against Samoa and the final change sees hooker Rob Webber swap roles with Dylan Hartley, who drops to the bench after receiving a brainless yellow card against the Springboks.

“The team that played against New Zealand deserved a second chance,” Lancaster said.

England will be heavy favourites against Samoa as they look to snap a five-game losing streak ahead facing Australia in the final game of the autumn series, and Lancaster admits the pressure is on for a victory.

“Every game is a must-win and for us now this Samoa game is, in the lead into that Australia game,” he said.