MR INCREDIBLE
Farrell hailed by his team-mates as he ‘rules by fear’ to inspire Saracens
OWEN FARRELL was hailed as ‘incredible’ after living up to Eddie Jones’ billing as a leader players are frightened to let down.
Forty-eight hours on from the England boss saying he wanted his new captain to rule by fear came confirmation from Saracens team-mate Jamie George that Farrell already does so.
Jones had gone to Saracens with Paul Gustard unsure as to whether his defence coach is about to jump ship to take charge at Harlequins. He left certain of one thing – that Farrell is every bit the player of steely influence he has banked on.
“He bosses us around, tells us where to go,” said England and Lions hooker George after Farrell’s record 27-point display in a 57-33
victory set up a Twickenham final against champions Exeter. “The guy’s incredible. He just keeps getting better and better. The more leadership and responsibility he is given the more he rises to it.”
Farrell did much more than land all 11 of his shots on goal to crush Wasps’ hopes of reaching a second successive Premiership final.
He controlled the game so completely that those around him had to deliver – for fear of upsetting him.
“You sometimes get a look from Owen,” revealed George. “You get it if you haven’t worked hard enough to get back on the ball.
“He has got such a clever rugby brain on him that he knows if the mistake is from skill or from effort.
“It is the effort error that he gives you the look for. And that drives standards.
“Brad Barritt is our captain and does a brilliant job, but Owen leads from the front and plays a big part in making the game plan and enforcing it with the boys.
“The standards he sets are impeccable. You’ve got to work your way up to him.”
The real test for Saracens comes this Saturday when they face an Exeter team which hammered Newcastle 36-5 in the other semi-final.
If Sarries were untouchable in the first half then what of the Chiefs, whose 92 per cent possession before half-time at Sandy Park meant they had to make just nine tackles compared to the Falcons’ 154.
Crucial to the Twickenham outcome will be supremacy at the gain line, so Saracens will pray Billy Vunipola is fit to play 80 minutes. On his latest comeback he lasted half the game. And was seen limping away from Allianz Park.