'People won't fully appreciate Farrell until he's not here'

Van Zyl hails departing skipper as he bids to lead Sarries to emotional Twickenham finale

- Nick Purewal

IVAN VAN ZYL hopes English rugby has two more chances to realise just how good Owen Farrell truly is, before the Saracens talisman heads to France.

Van Zyl will partner captain Farrell in the half-backs in tonight's Premiership semi-final against Northampton.

Farrell will end his glittering 16-year stint at defending champions Saracens this summer, when he makes the switch to Racing 92.

Lose at Franklin's Gardens, and Farrell and brothers Billy and Mako Vunipola will all have played their last Saracens match. Win, and that departing England trio will have a chance to sign off in style with another Premiership final.

South Africa scrum-half Van Zyl says the extent of Farrell's greatness still eludes many observers, despite the 112-cap England star's long and fruitful career.

"Owen's world-class, I don't understand how people don't see it," Van Zyl told Standard Sport.

"The best thing about Owen that people don't see is that he makes everyone else around him better.