Secret to England’s win is revealed: Farrell told not to talk to referee

Jones sets out team policy of ‘no queries, no questions’ Coach thrilled captain is back to his ‘belligerent self ’

Head coach Eddie Jones said that England’s leaders silenced their critics at Twickenham on Saturday, and then revealed that captain Owen Farrell had been under instructions not to engage with referee Andrew Brace.

Jones’s side delivered their best display since the World Cup as Maro Itoje’s late try halted France’s Grand Slam ambitions. England’s defence of their Six Nations title had ended two weeks previously in Cardiff after they conceded 14 penalties against Wales, with Itoje alone accounting for five. That defeat placed Farrell’s leadership and communication skills with officials under scrutiny.

Last week, England brought in referees Wayne Barnes and Matthew Carley to assist Farrell, and help the leaders’ ability to deal with adversity. In a pre-planned strategy, Farrell did not once remonstrate with Brace, who contentiously reversed a penalty decision late on.

Yet Farrell’s silent approach did not compromise his performance, according to Jones. “The way Owen has responded to the criticism that he has received has been absolutely outstanding,” Jones said. “He hasn’t whinged, he hasn’t complained, he took it on the chin and got on with it and fixed his game. He’s got back to his belligerent, aggressive self.

“We basically made the decision to let the referee do whatever he wanted. No queries, no questions. He had a game plan about how he wanted to referee and we followed and adapted. Owen had a great balance and I thought he was at his aggressive best. When you consider the performance of Maro, Tom Curry and Owen, they led the team. They set the platform for the team.”

Jones had little doubt that Itoje would also deliver after the setback at the Principality Stadium. No long chats were needed by the coaching staff in the build-up to the match.

“Sometimes you can see it in a player when they have their head around it and their eyes in it,” Jones said. “To play that sort of game, on the back of what he has had to suffer, is a great testament to his character and desire to be a good team-mate. That is what stood out – his desire to be a good team-mate.”

Itoje, who is among the favourites to be named captain of the British and Irish Lions, conceded just one penalty, while winning two turnovers and constantly disrupting the