OWEN FARRELL has emerged as a candidate to captain the Lions this summer according to one of the game’s most revered figures.
Jim Telfer, a four-tour Lions veteran as player, coach and head coach, believes England’s match winner has pushed himself into consideration at the age of 25 as an alternative to the leading contenders, AlunWyn Jones and Rory Best.
Telfer, part of the management team behind Martin Johnson’s inspired choice as Lions captain in 1997 before he led England, is in no doubt that Farrell could make the same quantum leap this summer.
“Alun-Wyn Jones is the favourite, but Farrell is one player who may come into the reckoning,” Telfer told The Rugby Paper. “He’s already been on one Lions tour and he’s a certainty to go on this one. Martin Johnson was in a similar position when we went to South Africa 20 years ago.
“Owen Farrell is an England captain in the making, particularly if Dylan Hartley is only playing half a game. Among the younger players, Farrell stands out as a candidate. He has the mental strength required and he thrives in the bigmatch atmosphere.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin February 19, 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin February 19, 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
