Stuart a reluctant skipper
FARRELL HAS DEFUSING JOB AS SCANDAL DOSSIER NEARS We’re good at sorting things out when together
OWEN FARRELL will lead England’s clear-the-air meeting today in the knowledge that the potentially explosive report into the Saracens scandal will be published in the next few days after a U-turn from his club.
The England captain expressed his wish at the Six Nations launch in London yesterday that his team’s training camp in the Algarve would represent an opportunity for healing.
But he could face further tensions when the full detail of the fallen champions’ cheating is revealed.
Farrell was one of the beneficiaries from the joint investment schemes assembled by Saracens to avoid the salary cap. The extent of the chicanery is about to be laid bare after the club withdrew their objections to the 103-page dossier being made public.
“We are keen for the report to be published in full and I made PRL [Premiership Rugby] aware of this today,” said Saracens’ new chairman Neil Golding. “It will provide much needed context and clarity.”
Golding said he had not even been asked by Premiership Rugby for his view on publication since taking over from Nigel Wray on January 9.
But after countering that they had received written objections “in the strongest terms” from Saracens’ lawyers, Premiership Rugby welcomed the move and confirmed they would begin preparations for the release of Lord Dyson’s findings. Saracens chief executive Ed Griffiths confirmed
LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT may be too young even to have heard of Britney Spears but Alun Wyn Jones had her on his mind after the Gloucester flier’s Six Nations call-up.
After being alarmed to discover his teenage team-mate was born this century, the Wales captain – 16 years Rees-Zammit’s senior at 34 – dug into his musical past for a relevant reference point.
“He was born in 2001 so the first thing I did when I heard that was to see which Now CD came out then. It yesterday the joint investment schemes had been ended.
But the club will not allow their books to be opened up for independent scrutiny, raising the question of what else may permanently remain hidden.
“We carefully considered the option of a full investigatory audit,” said Golding. “However, that inevitably would have involved a long period of more financial and emotional strain, and this in turn meant this was not a viable option for us.”
Saracens also appear to have no intention of returning the two Premiership trophies they won while was Now 48. It wasn’t a good year – Britney Spears and Stronger was on there,” said Jones.
“It’s amazing what memories songs can bring back and that was an interesting one for a few of us more mature members of the squad.
“I’m sure his mum and dad will be worried about him – he’s still their baby even if he is 18 – so as a parent myself I just told him if there’s anything he needs come and see me, over the salary cap, which remains a source of anger among their rivals. The scandal will be raised when the national squad – including Farrell and six other Saracens players – meet at theirVilamoura training base today. “Eddie said the other day that if we need to speak about it as a group we will,” said Farrell. “When we get together it will be clear because we are very good at being honest and open about stuff and sorting things out, so we will see if we need to “It’s a strength of the group – the amount of boys that do work hard to bring everyone together. So I’m sure it’s not going to be any different this time. I felt like we grew a lot in the summer as a group.”
The backdrop makes for uncharted territory for any England squad. The intention of the Saracens stars to remain with the club who dishonestly deprived their rivals of players and success is hardly likely to engender goodwill – even though the club insist cuts and possible loan moves will enable them to meet the cap next term. However, Ireland coach Andy Farrell, far left, who discussed son Owen’s situation with him before the Six Nations launch, believes the creative tension can be harnessed by Eddie Jones to England’s benefit.
“I’d be using the situation if I was Eddie and Eddie is not stupid,” he said. “I see Eddie using it to galvanise England.” Saracens and England No8 Billy Vunipola’s season looks likely to be over after breaking his arm again on Sunday. He was ruled out for a minimum of 16 weeks.
Feb 1 Feb 1 Feb 2 Feb 8 Feb 8 Feb 9 Feb 22 Feb 22 Feb 23 Mar 7 Mar 7 Mar 8 Mar 14 Mar 14 Mar 14
Wales v Italy 2.15pm Ireland v Scotland 4.45pm France v England 3pm Ireland v Wales 2.15pm Scotland v England 4.45pm France v Italy 3pm Italy v Scotland 2.15pm Wales v France 4.45pm England v Ireland 3pm Ireland v Italy 2.15pm England v Wales 4.45pm Scotland v France 3pm Wales v Scotland 2.15pm Italy v England 4.45pm France v Ireland 8pm but he’s a very assured young man in the way he carries himself so I’m sure he will be fine. He is raring to go in the jersey by the looks of it. He has played so well that you want to see him have an opportunity and hopefully he will get that.”
Rees-Zammit could make his debut against Italy on Saturday week if he overcomes the ankle injury that forced him off against Toulouse on Sunday. Coach Wayne Pivac is optimistic he will be fit. “He came in with a bit of a knock and hasn’t
STUART HOGG admitted yesterday he had to banish fears of being Captain Crumble before agreeing to take on the challenge of skippering Scotland for the first time in the Six Nations.
The full-back feared he would be unable to handle the pressure but praised Scotland coach Gregor Townsend for changing his attitude.
Hogg said: “From a selfish point of view, I just wanted to get the best out of myself.
“With a little bit of added pressure I thought I’d maybe crumble under it. But Gregor believed in me, put me in a leadership group and I’ve enjoyed having a say. I want to get the best out of myself and others.”