![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/sport\/sport-135x135.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
George Ford believes his playmaking axis with Owen Farrell is ready to stand the test of time after England reunited their creative brains trust for Saturday\u2019s World Cup clash with Samoa.<\/p>\n
Ford and Farrell will start together for the first time since March 2021 having won 31 of the 40 Tests in which they have been paired together \u2013 a success ratio of 77.5 per cent \u2013 and head coach Steve Borthwick is hoping that magic still lingers.<\/p>\n
Having compiled man of the match displays against Argentina and Japan and then stepping off the bench for the rout of Chile, Ford has been restored at fly-half while Farrell moves to inside centre.<\/p>\n
The first time the two operated together in tandem was also against Samoa in 2014 and Ford believes an attacking fulcrum that was particularly successful at the last World Cup can shine again.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve done it a lot of times and even though not as much in recent times, you can just feel it,\u201d the Sale fly-half said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though there\u2019s a bit of time where we haven\u2019t actually played together the understanding and the connection would be as strong as its ever been.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot having done it for a period of time maybe could benefit us because it probably sharpens you up a bit.<\/p>\n
It’s exciting because we’ve had some real success with it in the past<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been having discussions all week about that partnership and combination \u2013 what do we need from each other?<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019ve been doing it for a period of time you probably take that for granted a little bit. It\u2019s exciting because we\u2019ve had some real success with it in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n
The last World Cup to be held in France took place in 2007 when Ford and Farrell practised with England as teenagers due to their family links with Brian Ashton\u2019s squad.<\/p>\n
George\u2019s father Mike was an assistant coach while Farrell\u2019s father Andy was a member of the playing squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe spent time with the backs and the kickers. The lasting memories I have are kicking balls back for the kickers,\u201d Ford said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what made it so good, coming to France, in and out at the weekend like our families do now and then back to school on the Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt made it all a little bit more surreal, doing that at the weekend and going back to school on the Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Farrell, who leads the team and has been assigned goalkicking duties, believes the best might yet be to come from being asked to pull the strings in sync with his long-standing friend.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m pretty close to George so we speak about everything rugby-wise, regardless of what the team is anyway. We\u2019re on the same page. I\u2019m looking forward to it,\u201d Farrell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople have talked about the amount of times we\u2019ve played together before, but it\u2019s not been for a while.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe both hope we\u2019ve kicked on since we\u2019ve last played together. Hopefully we show that on the weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Farrell needs two more points to become England\u2019s highest scorer of all time, eclipsing the mark of 1,179 set by Jonny Wilkinson.<\/p>\n