Farrell’s in league of Owen
England v France Twickenham, 3pm
WHEN Owen Farrell captained his country for the first time a year ago the wheels came off England’s chariot.
Toothless and indisciplined, England crashed to defeat in France en route to their worst Six Nations finish for 35 years.
Eleven months on, he is king of all he surveys.
As England and France reconvene for Le Crunch at Twickenham today, boss Eddie Jones has hailed his skipper as England’s “bus driver and conductor”.
Jones said: “As the 10 (fly-half) you’ve got to find the right route and then you’ve got to make sure everyone is doing their role – Owen is doing that pretty well for us.
“The players are taking more responsibility and Owen’s a great driver.”
Some 30 hours after England’s 32-20 triumph in Dublin the incomparable Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to a sixth Super Bowl win in Atlanta. Farrell was watching.
“I have always taken a massive interest in him,” the Saracens star admitted. “He is very in control and very calm under pressure.”