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England Six Nations: Owen Farrell to play fly-half for Saracens
Saracens boss Mark McCall has promised Owen Farrell time at fly-half ahead of England's Six Nations campaign.
The 21-year-old came off the bench to play at outside centre in Sunday's narrow 17-16 win over Northampton Saints, scoring two penalties.
Veteran number 10 Charlie Hodgson also kicked two penalties as he retained his position at fly-half.
Farrell or Flood for fly-half?
| Farrell | Flood | |
|---|---|---|
|
21 |
Age |
27 |
|
12 |
Caps |
53 |
|
v Scotland, February 2012 |
Debut |
v Argentina, November 2006 |
|
109 (eight conversions, 30 penalties, one drop goal) |
Points |
275 - (four tries, 39 conversions, 58 penalties, one drop goal) |
|
42 |
Premiership games |
99 |
|
366 (three tries, 24 conv, 100 pen, one drop goal) |
Points |
860 (23 tries, 122 conv, 165 pen, two drop goals) |
"Owen will play some rugby at 10 over the next two or three weeks," McCall told BBC Radio 5 live.
"He'll get plenty of rugby there to make sure he's in good form for England when the Six Nations begins."
England head coach Stuart Lancaster favoured Leicester's Toby Flood as his starting number 10 for the defeats by Australia and South Africa this autumn.
But Farrell was handed the fly-half berth for the historic 38-21 victory over New Zealand, kicking 17 points.
And the 12-cap back has until 2 February to persuade Lancaster he should start England's Six Nations opener against Scotland - the same fixture in which he made his international debut last year.
"Owen is very aware of the plan we have over the next three weeks - and has been since he came back from England's autumn internationals - about when he will play 10 and when he won't," said McCall. "He is very happy with that plan."
Farrell's six points from the boot against Saints proved vital to the result, with Saracens leading by 11 points in the early stages but holding on to go second in the Premiership.
"You've got to look back across the whole 80 minutes and if you haven't reflected your dominance on the scoreboard that's obviously a problem," said director of rugby McCall. "And the game was tight because of that.
"But there are signs of us developing nicely. The players are confident, our game is in good order and it's another very good win."
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Comment number 56.
Lee2nd January 2013 - 15:10
This could only happen in England! In any other rugby playing country Freddie Burns would be a nailed on starter for his country at 10 and yet he is likely to start on the bench behind a player who is far from a certainty to be in the match-day squad for his club, let alone start, and who is also a long way from being first choice for that club in the position he plays for with England!
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Comment number 55.
YouAreWhatYouDo2nd January 2013 - 12:13
It's not disrespectful to discuss player limitations, although it is a hard conversation to have. Owen Farrell is a worry because he's not a very insightful distributer and is behind several other 10s in his attacking acumen. He didn't drive the tries against the ABs. He needs the ability to bring in players at 11, 14 and 15. Difficult to have all these qualities, but hey - 10 is a key position.
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Comment number 54.
TeaPartyBrit2nd January 2013 - 11:10
A lot of comments on here from people who are Leaguophobic. They disrespect his father and Owen himself. Sure, Owen has yet to prove he is world class, but do you people think Stuart Lancaster knows nothing? And Andy Farrell was a great rugby player in League, and if he had been born in the south would have been a great rugby player in the Union code.
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Comment number 53.
Dom2nd January 2013 - 9:31
Interesting to see everyone commenting on Farrell's lack of attacking flair but to me he is starting to look a bit like Jonny Wilkinson. Never the greatest attacking player but sure in defence and rarely missed penalties. It seemed to work quite well in 2003. I'm hoping Burns can make the step up but given England's view of International rugby, Farrell fits.
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Comment number 52.
cambers2nd January 2013 - 7:30
Difficult to deny Farrell's prowess from the kicking tee, but as an test ten he offers zip in attack. His distribution is laboured, made worse by the fact that defences know he will only pass!..In all hist test appearances he has not once taken the ball up and attacked the gain line, been tackled and presented. the ball. Simply not good enough.
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