Owen Farrell has been lined up to start England’s autumn rugby campaign just two weeks after he was knocked out playing for his club.
Eddie Jones named him in his squad for Sunday’s clash with Argentina, although he has one more day of head-injury tests before he can be signed off.
Barring any issue today he will be cleared to win his 98th England cap and set himself on course to complete his century against New Zealand at Twickenham in a fortnight.
His return is a massive boost for Jones who describes the 31-year old as an “icon” and “one of the all-time greats” of the game. But there is concern elsewhere.
Concussion awareness group Progressive Rugby accept Farrell has abided by the protocol that is in place, but they maintain that the current 12-day stand down period is simply not long enough.
A spokesperson said: “In line with our seven-point elite rugby requirements, we strongly believe that players require a stand down period of at least 21 days following a brain injury.
“With such an enviable squad to pick from, it seems an excellent opportunity to err on the side of caution.”
Jonny May also makes a speedy return to the squad just a fortnight after appearing to dislocate an elbow.
There could well be a Test debut at blindside for Northampton flanker Alex Coles in place of injured clubmate Courtney Lawes.
But all eyes are on the back line where England expect finally to be able to pick the midfield of their dreams.
Ever since the emergence of Marcus Smith as a must-have Test fly-half midway through last year Jones has sought to pair him with a midfield of Farrell and Manu Tuilagi.
The coach had been given a glimpse of what the trio can do when starting Smith and Farrell at 10 and 12 against Australia a year ago, with Tuilagi on the wing but often wreaking havoc inside.
However, Farrell was injured that day and since then at no time have all three players been fit at the same time. Until yesterday, when Jones included them in a 25-man squad for Sunday’s clash.
Farrell is central to the plans of Jones, who rates him “the most energetic and one of the most committed rugby players I’ve ever seen”. He admits that without the Saracens star “we lose a huge percentage of our fight”.
Even though Farrell was unable to attend last week’s five-day training camp in Jersey, footage of training was sent to him to keep him up to speed and get his feedback.
Unsurprisingly, his return to the training pitch in person yesterday brought a smile to the face of England attack coach Martin Gleeson.
“He looked good, full of enthusiasm,” beamed Gleeson. “Me, Owen and Marcus work closely together as a three. And Owen’s partnership with Marcus is a big part of where we want to go as a team.
“Their understanding of each other and how we want to play is growing. But they have only played four games together and that is not a lot, whatever position you’re in, when building a combination.
“We’re looking to build on that this autumn and I have no doubt we’ll see the rewards of that when we do.”
Gleeson believes the potential is there to forge a world class midfield axis, but recognises that there are no short cuts.
“How many top 10-12 combinations have only played four Test matches together?” he said. “A lot of these guys have 20, 30, 40, 50.
“How many games it takes I can’t put a number on. What I would say is that from the start of the Australia tour to the end there was a big difference.
“They have slightly different qualities but working together they can blossom. There is a lot of potential in that partnership.”
England squad - Forwards: Coles, Cowan-Dickie, Curry, Genge, Heyes, Hill, Itoje, Ribbans, Robinson, Simmonds, Sinckler, Singleton, B Vunipola, M Vunipola, Willis. Backs: Cokanasiga, Farrell, May, Nowell, Slade, Smith, Steward, Tuilagi, van Poortvliet, Youngs.
