I thought Wilkinson was a one-off, but Farrell could become a great just like him
IT SEEMS like only yesterday that Owen Farrell was making his England debut, against Scotland at Murrayfield in 2012. And he was picked at centre that day and the following week against Italy. If only Stuart Lancaster had kept him there instead of moving him to fly-half!
And today here he is winning his 50th cap, not long after his 25th birthday. In his 49 England Tests to date Farrell has scored 562 points, but much more important than that he has become the heart and soul of the side, a rock behind the scrum and a warrior everybody in the squad looks up to.
Put it this way. Imagine for a minute England going into a big game without Owen Farrell. I for one would feel a bit nervous about that. His absence for whatever reason would leave a large hole, difficult to fill. His nerveless goal kicking, his leadership of the defence behind the scrum and the way he invariably brings out the best in George Ford.
With Farrell next to him, Ford is more confident and assured and by providing that second playmaking option at 12 the entire England back division has a more balanced look
Farrell is already a world-class player, a cast-iron starter for the Lions this summer barring injury, but I believe he has the potential to become one of the all-time greats of English rugby, hopefully a World Cup winner — perhaps even as captain — and possibly the most capped player in England’s history.
They are not just idle thoughts and dreams; given luck with injury, Farrell can make all that happen. In fact, I will be surprised if he doesn’t.
When I was lucky enough to work with Jonny Wilkinson I assumed he was a one-off and I would never see his like again, in English rugby anyway, in my lifetime. But the truth is Farrell is a long way down the road to emulating Jonny. His goal kicking and tackling are absolutely on a par — which is saying something — and his all-round play has matured massively over the last two to three years.
They share the same flinty competitive edge and Farrell is beginning to also display the maturity and self-control Jonny showed in the fiercest of battles. They also display the same work ethic and focus on trying to achieve perfection. There are so many similarities.
There are still aspects Farrell can improve on. Of course there are. He’s no slouch but he’s no racehorse either and can certainly improve his basic speed by a yard or two with specialist training. Somewhere in his busy schedule he should try to fit in a few more sessions. It would be time well spent.
He will never rely on his speed per se — and of course that’s one of the reasons he could be around for a very long time, given the normal caveat about luck with injuries — but it would expand his attacking options a little if he had a bit more gas.
So far he’s scored five Test tries. I’d like to see that average of one every 10 games nudge up a little in the next part of his career. He is essentially a provider and creator but being a big threat yourself can help that process enormously. It creates more room for others because defences still have to be aware of your own try-scoring ability.
His footwork is clear and decisive and we have seen much more of the attacking, line-breaking, Owen Farrell since the last Rugby World Cup but again I feel he’s still on the upward curve in this department. There is more to come.
All that is for the future. In the meantime, congratulations Owen on the 50 caps, a splendid effort with many memorable moments . . . but then get your head down because this must be just the start. True greatness could be yours.