Farrell can lead Lions like Johnno says Telfer
OWEN FARRELL has emerged as a candidate to captain the Lions this summer according to one of the game’s most revered figures.
Jim Telfer, a four-tour Lions veteran as player, coach and head coach, believes England’s matchwinner has pushed himself into consideration at the age of 25 as an alternative to the leading contenders, Alun-Wyn Jones and Rory Best.
Telfer, part of the management team behind Martin Johnson’s inspired choice as Lions captain in 1997 before he led England, is in no doubt that Farrell could make the same quantum leap this summer.
“Alun-Wyn Jones is the favourite, but Farrell is one player who may come into the reckoning,” Telfer told
The Rugby Paper. “He’s already been on one Lions tour and he’s a certainty to go on this one. Martin Johnson was in a similar position when we went to South Africa 20 years ago.
“Owen Farrell is an England captain in the making, particularly if Dylan Hartley is only playing half a game. Among the younger players, Farrell stands out as a candidate. He has the mental strength required and he thrives in the bigmatch atmosphere.
“When he took a heavy knock from Ross Moriarty in the Welsh game, he didn’t writhe about in agony like some soccer players. He got up, smiled wryly and got on
with it. I think players respect him.
“He is an established international and there’s no doubt that 12 is his best position. England have been decimated in certain positions but they are winning and doing very well. For a Lions tour you have to pick players on form. You can’t pick them on how they played four years ago.”
Farrell could captain England for the first time next week and not just because Italy’s visit to Twickenham coincides with his 50th Test appearance. Head coach Eddie Jones plans to make changes and will decide this week whether to rest some of his heavy mob, including skipper Dylan Hartley.
As well as singing Farrell’s praises, Telfer is backing Moriarty to muscle his way into the Lions squad on the evidence of the Gloucester blockbuster’s performance against England.
“Moriarty is a real find,” Telfer said. “The way he’s playing makes him a con- tender for the Lions in two positions, at six and eight. In that respect he is in the CJ Stander mould.
“He was outstanding for Wales against England. If any aggression was needed, he provided it. As a ball-carrier, he was the strong man, stronger than Sam Warburton and Jake Ball.
“He doesn’t just run straight at opponents. He can beat them. He has that explosive leg drive. In defence he was excellent. He’s a young fella who plays with such enthusiasm that he looks like he’s really enjoying what he’s doing.”
Moriarty, straight back into a winning return for Gloucester against Saracens on Friday night, is back on Six Nations duty today in preparation for Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday. Telfer was surprised by the ‘strange’ back row change against England.
“Moriarty wasn’t looking as if he wanted to come off,” he said. “He wasn’t tired. It was strange. Maybe it was a bit of immaturity on Rob Howley’s part.”
Wales will be aiming for an unprecedented tenth straight win at Murrayfield where they have reigned supreme since losing 21-9 ten years ago. Scotland are already without two of those behind their inspiring win over Ireland – scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw and No. 8 Josh Strauss.
“Laidlaw represents a loss in leadership and the biggest loss will be his goalkicking,” Telfer said. “He’s been central to the decisionmaking process and the tempo of Scotland’s game.”