Larder (left) worked with Farrell in rugby league

The World Cup-winning defence coach says Mathew Tait should play at outside centre to give England's midfield "a far more dangerous cutting edge".

Larder told Rugby Times: "Coaches look to the number six to be their team's leading ball carrier and top tackler.

"These are the duties Farrell did every time he put on a jersey for Wigan or Great Britain."

Former England centres Will Carling and Jeremy Guscott called for Farrell to be dropped following the 43-13 defeat by Ireland on Saturday.

But Larder, who is working as a defence coach at Worcester after being sacked by England last year, says the former rugby league star is too good to be jettisoned.

If Faz cannot open up Ireland and Italy from the centre position then what chance has he against Australia and New Zealand? Phil Larder

"His most adhering attributes are his mental toughness, self confidence, physical presence and leadership," Larder, 61, said in his latest column for Rugby Times.

"He comes from the same mould as Martin Johnson, Neil Back, Jason Leonard and Jonny Wilkinson. He is that special and deserves persevering with.

"However, it has become painfully evident he is not creating enough opportunities playing in the centre.

"He did not cause the Irish defence any problems.

"If Faz cannot open up Ireland and Italy from the centre position then what chance has he against Australia and New Zealand?"

Yet Larder says Farrell could be a huge asset for England at blindside - as long as they do not use him in the way Saracens did earlier this season.

"A study of the match tapes suggests Saracens did not modify their tactics to suit his skills," he said.

Farrell has all the attributes to succeed - he is tall, immensely strong, agile and tough Phil Larder

"Farrell spent his time hitting rucks and hardly ever had the ball in his hands. You do not sign a rugby league legend to do that."

Instead he says Farrell should concentrate on ball carrying and tackling.

He added: "(Forwards coach) John Wells would have to earn his corn working with Farrell in the set piece, but Farrell has all the attributes to succeed - he is tall, immensely strong, agile and tough. He is also a quick learner."

Larder, who took Farrell to the 1995 World Cup when he was England's rugby league coach, believes the changes can make England a potent attacking force.

"Imagine for a minute... an attack which has the sheer pace and ability of Mathew Tait wide on the outside, with wingers Dave Strettle or Mark Cueto alongside him, and on the other side of the pitch there's Andy Farrell supported by runners of the calibre of Tom Palmer, George Chuter and Josh Lewsey," he said.

"Then throw into the mix the dynamic runners in midfield of Mike Tindall and Joe Worsley, with Jason Robinson at the back given a free role to support wherever the ball is going.

"Surely this is the ammunition that would allow a coach of Brian Ashton's reputation to show us all what he can do?"