Debate about the England centre-pairing has been all the rage for the last three weeks.

What’s clear is that, unless your forward pack is completely and utterly dominant, you need a midfield which is both solid and incisive in order to win big matches.

Saracens have traditionally favoured two big specimens in the centres, both very comfortable in the crash-ball role and both abrasive and disciplined in their defensive duties.

Distribution and intricate footwork have been of secondary importance (although I’d maintain that in these aspects, Barritt and Tomkins remain underrated, or have not been able to express themselves in England shirts).

This season, though, some new options have come to the fore.

In Barritt’s absence, the much-eulogised (by me) Duncan Taylor has made the number 12 shirt his own.

The new Scotland cap has all the dependability in contact as the England regular, but as a converted back three player, his acceleration is that much sharper which makes him more of a threat.

Barritt tends to make several yards over the gain line in heavy traffic; with Taylor, there is a greater chance of a clean line break.

New signing Tim Streather is another who injects pace and footwork into the midfield.

This was signalled by his excellent try-scoring stats with Nottingham, but it’s only in the last fortnight that Streather has showcased his talents with the Men in Black.

With his acceleration and vision he can put himself in dangerous positions; and then he has the footwork to beat individual defenders, something of a last art in English backplay.

Two more players, Marcelo Bosch and Nick Tompkins, have shown signs of being able to add distribution to the range of weapons at our disposal.

Bosch, a 25-cap Argentina player, is an elusive runner and a solid defender, but more importantly he has a slight of hand which can stand up defenders and put other runners into space.

Tompkins, finally, has lived up to his rave reviews during his LV= Cup outings.

He is so young that there’s basically no point in pointing out any of his weaknesses.

Instead, he has quick feet and is deceptively strong so he can hold his own in a congested midfield. 

Moreover, the pass he span out in the build-up to Jamie George’s try last Sunday was an absolute gem which completely cut open the Scarlets defence.

That’s a fairly unique talent.

In other words, Sarries have got plenty of options – they can now mix and match their attacking style, rather than always favouring the battering ram approach of previous seasons.

The conundrum is made even more interesting by Barritt’s ankle injury which will keep him out till at least December, and Tomkins’ knee injury which could sideline him for three months.

The midfield selections, and the style of play, in the meantime will be fascinating to see.