England vs New Zealand: Owen Farrell, the Vunipola brother and the ultimate test of adapting under pressure

England plan to draw on the big-game mentality that runs through its Saracens spine, but the inability to adapt when it matters most has stunted their bid to be the best in the world so far this World Cup cycle

Owen Farrell believes England have learned the ability to adapt within a match that has proven to be their biggest hurdle during the Eddie Jones era, with Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final with New Zealand the perfect platform to put that claim to the ultimate test.

England’s progress under Jones has been stunted by costly defeats against Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Wales over the last two years, leading to a question mark hanging over their big-game mentality.

Farrell returns to inside centre for the Yokohama clash with the All Blacks to accommodate the returning George Ford, but the biggest test for the pair will come in working out how to unlock the defence of the best side in world rugby over the last eight years.

Both teams arrive at the semi-final stage as the unbeaten stand-outs at the World Cup so far, but England do so knowing that they have not emerged victorious in this match for seven years, having lost six of the last seven encounters.

England also face a serious test of their mentality when the pressure is on, and having passed the first hurdle against Australia last weekend in romping away from a one-point advantage to a 40-16 victory, they in all likelihood will have to delve deep into that character once again.

For Farrell, it has also been a personal journey that has continued into this World Cup, having been talked into putting his preparation first by Jones in front of what the team needs.

And asked whether he used to allow the week’s build-up to mount on top of him and cloud his judgement, the England captain said: “When I was younger definitely. That comes with a bit of experience and learning about yourself.

“I probably worried too much about things when I was younger. You probably expect things a lot more to go your way, expect things to happen the way you thought they would happen, whereas rugby's not a game like that. Anything can happen on Saturday and you want to be open enough to be ready for that.

“I think nerves play a part but when you walk out there, get out there and it's about to kick off, you can't wait. You're into the game, you're 100 per cent what's happening at that time and nerves, when you start thinking about what could happen or what could be... when you're in it, you're in it. That's the way you want to try to practise to be all the way through the week.”

The questions surrounding Farrell’s form and leadership dissipated into the Oita atmosphere last weekend as he produced his best showing for England so far this campaign, though not far behind him were two of his Saracens teammates. It is no surprise that a number of players within this squad of 31, who collectively have never appeared in a World Cup semi-final before, look to the six long-serving Saracens players for that big-game experience in the hope of following the example they have set at domestic and European level.

The Vunipola brother are crucial to the way England play (Getty)

That certainly applies to Mako and Billy Vunipola. The two have that same big-game experience as Farrell behind them, but they also have the individual memories of what it took to get to Japan. Both suffered long and multiple injury lay-offs over the last two years that leaves them knowing they cannot pass up a chance like the one in front of them.

“From my point of view it was a journey I was on and I have just tried to keep my head down and try and get back into this team,” Billy said on Thursday. “It was a case of getting over the injuries and trying to get back into the team and that has been driving me all along. It is part and parcel of the sport to get injuries but I seemed to get them in one go, not one at a time.”

On Saturday, older brother Mako will watch on as his sibling leads England out against the All Blacks in recognition of what will be his 50th cap. Unsurprisingly, Billy has not given the landmark much time at all, explaining that “it isn’t something I have put a lot of thought into yet because my focus has been on trying to help the team”, but there was even less coming his way from 62-cap Mako. This weekend, brotherly love is definitely off the menu.

“There have been some bumps along the road and it is a great achievement, although I didn’t realise it was his 50th cap until I was told on the way in,” said Mako. “It’s nice for him but we are just both looking forward to going out and helping the team and it’s not a small feat, not many people achieve that, and it is something we can celebrate after the game.”

But what the Vunipolas do recognise is how important each other are to what England will try to do to the All Blacks. Billy spoke glowingly last week of how he plays better when Mako is able to be his “shield” on the pitch, and though he was still keen to joke with his brother’s words, he knows exactly how important the No 8 is to England’s chances of reaching the World Cup final.

“If I am the shield, he must be talking himself up as the sword,” Mako added. “He gives us a lot in terms of momentum as well as helping stop the momentum in the other team, and that is going to be key against the All Blacks because teams find it difficult to do to stop them. It is going to be a big battle.”

It’s not one that either got to experience last autumn due to injury, but when the decisive moments arise on Saturday, England will be hoping to see Farrell, Billy and Mako leading the charge.