MAKO Vunipola reckons ‘world-class’ Owen Farrell would make a fantastic job of captaining the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand this summer should Warren Gatland make that call.
Head coach Gatland will reveal his squad on April 19 and has name-checked Farrell among half-a-dozen candidates to lead the touring party on their arduous trip Down Under, with Alun-Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Dylan Hartley and Rory Best also in the mix.
Saracens prop Vunipola would have no qualms over his club colleague being put in charge, telling The Rugby Paper: “If they did appoint Owen as captain it would be amazing for him as a player and it’s something he would thoroughly deserve. He’d do a great job.
“Owen leads by the way he plays but he’s also got a very mature head on his shoulders and he’s played in so many big games now, both for club and country, that he’s proved he’s got the temperament, especially with his goal-kicking under intense pressure.
“He’s been the focal point of an England defence which has conceded very few tries, but he’s also become pivotal to our game in general. He’s got every quality to be a great captain and if he does get the chance I’d be very happy as a player.”
Vunipola, below, insists Farrell would command respect from those around him, adding: “People will follow him, 100 per cent. He’s one of those players who drags people with him and at times when you might be struggling his sheer determination pulls you along.
“There’s not a day in training where he’s off his game or taking things easy; his level never drops and he’s always setting the highest standards. He’s done that year-in, year-out with Saracens and England so he’s very much in the mix for that captaincy.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 26, 2017 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 26, 2017 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen
HOOKER Ieuan Morris came off the bench to settle matters for Ebbw Vale at Carmarthen Quins with his stunning second half hat-trick completing a 39-11 victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Joe keen to follow in family footsteps
JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way to go before that becomes reality.
Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry
COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights set on promotion, and eventually playing for England.
Hancox joins the 200 club
AFTER 10 years of donning the red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth, skipper Grant Hancox made his 200th appearance this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.
Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under
FORMER Cornish Pirates back row Bear Williams has flourished in making the difficult transition from rugby union to league and has plans to play in Australia’s NRL. `
To play in two World Cups was a dream
RUGBY started quite late for me.
Call time on this pantomime ploy
THIS 60-second shot clock twaddle. If we must continue to plough down this blind alley it needs to apply from the moment the referee awards the penalty. If the authorities are going to put some stick about at least do it properly and with conviction.
Coetzee's pulling his weight again
WHETHER he starts or comes off the bench, Jaco Coetzee is just happy to be contributing fully to Bath’s revival after an injury-hit start to his career in blue, black and white.
Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...
BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one side of the world to the starting grid for the autumn Tests on the other.
We need to kick on after winning at last
Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run
