Farrell leading from the front

Owen Farrell put in a man of the match performance to help his Saracens side lift their 6th Premiership title at Twickenham, but just how on form is the England man?

The number ten came up against his former school mate George Ford in the Gallagher Premiership showpiece final, but it was the Saracens man who came out on top, dictating the key moments.

The Saracens captain won two turnovers, made ten tackles and made a try assist in what was an outstanding final at England Rugby’s HQ.

Even when it looked to be getting away from Sarries with an hour gone, he was the cool head who led his team up the pitch to bounce back from Bevan Rodd’s try.

Farrell was a major talking point across England’s Six Nations campaign, due to his battle with Marcus Smith for the ten jersey, but on the biggest stage he showed the quality he possesses.

Despite Farrell himself not taking the acclaim, Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall was keen to express how impressed he has been with the 31-year-old.

He said: “You asked the question at the start about Owen?

“Just from my side.

“If you spent a week at our training ground, you wouldn’t believe just how influential he is, how clear he is with the playing group, how emotive he is, what standards he sets, how supportive he is to teammates young and old.”

With the World Cup only around the corner, Northern Irishman McCall believes Farrell is at the peak of his powers.

“He’s playing the rugby of his life at the moment as well, but his leadership’s gone to a whole new level,” he said.

New England Head Coach Steve Borthwick, knows the class Farrell brings, even making him his captain, but have these performances made him realise he needs to start the title winner at ten not 12 when the opening World Cup match comes around?

Even opposition Director of Rugby, Alex Sanderson, couldn’t help but praise a player he used to coach at Sarries.

Sanderson said: “He certainly broke the kicking cycle up really well.

“Some of those cross field spiral bombs he was putting up, gave them a break or two in the game.

“I think one led to a try.

“He’s on form isn’t he?

“Him and George (Ford) are both on form, they’re both playing well.

“One of the reasons we’ve talked about, he guided his team to victory today, so props to him.”

Farrell was named man of the match in Sarries semi-final win over Northampton Saints as well as the final, showcasing his form at the key moments for his club.

Now he will look to turn this club form into International form for Borthwick’s England side.

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