‘Demanding’ Farrell gets backing of Borthwick
New England coach Steve Borthwick said the sky-high standards demanded by Owen Farrell throughout his glittering career were behind the decision to retain him as captain for the Six Nations campaign.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) confirmed at the weekend the 31-yearold would be free to play against Scotland on Feb 4 after he was handed a four-match ban for a dangerous tackle while playing for club side Saracens earlier this month.
Borthwick, himself a former England captain, spoke on Monday about Farrell’s enduring leadership qualities as he unveiled his first squad since succeeding Eddie Jones last month.
“To have a team that finds a way to win, you need great leaders across the squad,” said the 43-year-old.
“The first time I walked into an England squad and onto the training field as a young man, the leaders — Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Richard Hill, Neil Back, Phil Vickery, Jason Leonard, Matt Dawson. Incredible.
“The England rugby team is going to be captained by Owen Farrell.”
The former lock saw Farrell take his first steps in senior rugby when they were both playing for Saracens in the English Premiership.
“It’s normal that when a 17 or 18-year-old enters first-team training at the start of their careers, they are quiet, reserved,” he said.
“Owen’s different. Owen came onto the training field and everyone was struck with awe by how hard he pushes himself. Everybody was also struck by how much he demanded of those around him. That’s Owen — it’s what he does and why he is captain of the England rugby team.”
The RFU said on Saturday that Farrell’s ban would be deemed fully served before the Six Nations starts next month despite initial uncertainty over when he would be available.
The four-match suspension would have prevented Farrell, who plays at fly-half or centre, from running out at Twickenham in Borthwick’s first match in charge.
However, there was provision for the ban to be reduced to three weeks if Farrell completed the World Rugby coaching intervention programme.
Rugby chiefs clarified on Saturday that Farrell would be available for Saracens’ game against Bristol on Jan 28, even if in reality he is highly unlikely to play in the match a week before the Scotland game.
The Bristol fixture effectively becomes the final game of his suspension.
The RFU has been accused of “gaming” their own system by including the Premiership match as part of Farrell’s punishment.
ENGLAND SQUAD
Backs: Elliot Daly (Saracens) Owen Farrell (Saracens) Tommy Freeman (Northampton) Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish), Dan Kelly (Leicester Tigers) Max Malins (Saracens), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Alex Mitchell (Northampton), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Henry Slade (Exeter), Fin Smith (Northampton), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester) Manu Tuilagi, (Sale), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester), Ben Youngs (Leicester)
Forwards: Ollie Chessum (Leicester), Dan Cole (Leicester) Ben Curry (Sale), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Jonny Hill (Sale), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton), George McGuigan (Gloucester), Bevan Rodd (Sale), Sam Simmonds (Exeter), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol), Mako Vunipola (Saracens) Jack Walker (Harlequins), Jack Willis (Toulouse/FRA)