Englandcan wait, Farrell’s out to see off Cipriani first

OWeN FARRELL will be in no mood to marvel at the talents of Danny cipriani when saracens meet Wasps in the Premiership play-off semifinal on saturday.

Farrell could play alongside the 30-year-old maverick playmaker on the summer tour to south Africa but while the england captain appreciates cipriani’s talents, there will be no time for any pre-tour bonding at Allianz Park.

‘he is very sharp, is obviously a very talented player and sees space pretty well,’ said saracens fly-half Farrell. ‘he’s a big part of what they do. We’ll obviously have a look at him and try to make sure he doesn’t get opportunities.

‘same with a lot of other lads in that Wasps back line, they can make something happen out of nothing. As much as you can enjoy watching it, you’ve got to make sure you can stop it.’

saracens endured a slump in form this season and lost seven matches in a row between early November and christmas eve. Farrell, though, thinks it was the best thing to happen to the club as they attempt to reach an eighth major final in five seasons.

‘We had not been like that for a long time, especially the number of losses we had in a row, but i thought it was a brilliant period for us,’ he said. ‘i don’t think we would be in the place we are now without it. We did a lot of figuring out and ironing out and we have come out better for it.’

Farrell would not speak in detail about england’s summer but admitted it was a ‘ massive honour’ to be named captain for the three-test tour in June in the absence of concussion victim Dylan hartley.

When naming the squad last week, england head coach eddie Jones voiced concerns over a lack of unity during a six Nations in which england finished fifth. And the head coach challenged his skipper to revitalise the squad.

‘this tour is one that we’re going to enjoy,’ said Farrell. ‘south Africa is a brilliant tour, a brilliant challenge. they are a good team who are now coming under some new coaching, so you probably don’t know what you are going to get. the key is to be ready for anything with these big games.

‘We’ll obviously all have to be on the same page coming up to a tough tour. it starts with seeing what probably we didn’t like seeing in the six Nations.’ NeWcAstle FAlcONs swept up at the Premiership Rugby end- of- season awards, with Vereniki Goneva named player of the year. Newcastle’s Dean Richards was named director of rugby of the season, while sinoti sinoti took try of the season for his stunning sidestep and break against exeter in round 13.

exeter back row sam simmonds, 23, took the discovery of the season prize. eNGlish-BAseD trio luke charteris, tomas Francis and Josh Adams have been blocked by Premiership Rugby from playing in next month’s test against south Africa as it falls outside World Rugby’s official window.