A plucky Herbert!
SUPER HERO: Tom Brady
OWEN FARRELL is acting the GOAT as he bids to lead England to glory on two fronts.
The Saracens fly-half, 27, has been modelling himself on NFL legend Tom Brady – regarded by many as the Greatest Of All Time – in an effort to give his side the edge in the Six Nations and the World Cup in Japan which kicks off in September.
In Dublin last weekend Farrell’s England delivered a note-perfect performance to soundly beat Grand Slam holders Ireland.
He kicked like a dream and controlled the tempo and mood, calling his team into huddles on the pitch in each half to encourage and cajole them.
If he resembled a quarterback running the show for his side, then it was largely down to studying the incomparable American.
Some 30 hours after England’s 32-20 win, Tom Brady led New England Patriots to a sixth Super Bowl triumph in Atlanta and Farrell was watching closely. He said: “I have always taken a massive interest in him. He is very in control and very calm under pressure.
“He is very ready – not just ready for what he thinks will be in front of him, ready for anything at the same time.” England will need to be similarly tuned in today against an opponent with a chameleon-like ability to change its appearance.
At the Stade de France nine days ago, France looked like world-beaters against Wales as they ran up a 16-0 lead at the break – only to fall flat on their faces as they went down
24-19.
Boss Jacques Brunel has made six changes for Twickenham where Les Bleus have won only once in Six Nations history.
But Farrell knows that the French have an ability to flick the switch when they get in the mood and he has demanded his team don’t let them near the fuse box.
“The most important thing is that we have an influence by the way we play, how we execute our gameplan,” he added.
“It is never going to be perfect and there will be times France get what they want, but we have got to make sure when we are in control of the tempo that we play at the pace we want to.”
When Farrell captained his country for the first time a year ago, the wheels came off England’s chariot.
Toothless and indisciplined, they crashed to defeat in France. He had little influence on that chastening Paris night yet, 11 months on, is king of all he surveys.
As England and France reconvene for Le Crunch, Red Rose boss Eddie Jones has hailed Farrell as England’s “bus driver and conductor”.
The Australian said: “As the 10 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 increasingly taking more responsibility for the team and Owen’s a great driver.”
England want a fast game, believing their fitness is far superior. Jones reckons the final quarter will be a happy hunting ground for his resurgent team, back up to No.3 in the world.
“The tradition of France is to fade a little bit in the final 20, the evidence shows that,” he said.
“If we can get the pace of the game up, the last 20 will be a telling factor.”
England v France Today, 3pm, ITV
SEVENTH seed PierreHugues Herbert beat Czech Tomas Berdych 6-2
7-5 to set up an all-French final with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier.
Herbert breezed through the opening set but Berdych offered more resistance in the second only to produce a double fault at 5-5 to gift his opponent a break.
He then served out to claim his first-ever win against the Czech star.
Tsonga beat Radu Albot
6-1 6-3 and will be bidding for his 17th singles title but his first since 2017.