OWEN FARRELL IS only a year into his international career and has already earned ‘world-class’ praise and a nomination for the IRB Player of the Year.
While many supporters may have scoffed at the nomination, Farrell kept his head down and bolstered his reputation by kicking 20 points in a stunning home win over the All Blacks.
Speaking on Tuesday, Ireland scrumhalf Conor Murray counselled discipline around the scrum and breakdown to his teammates.
He said, “This weekend, I don’t think we are going to get away with silly things like [my yellow card against Wales].
“We played Saracens, with Munster, twice this season and Farrell is a world-class goal-kicker.”
The 21-year-old outhalf, and son of England backs coach Andy Farrell, is trying his best to stay grounded.
Farrell said, “People seem to talk about me sometimes as if I have made it and have nothing to learn but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I know I am not the finished article by any means.”
Early promise
Having spent three seasons at Sarries, former Leinster and Ireland hooker Shane Byrne is well placed to give assessment on the outhalf.
“I know Farrell well from my time at Saracens,” Byrne told TheScore.ie.
“When he was only 14 or 15, Andy Farrell would bring him along on training days. Even at that age you could see that there was something extraordinary about the lad.” He added:
This guy is the real deal. Injuries permitting, we’ll be hearing about him for many years to come.
“He dictated the Scotland game brilliantly. He’s got good hands, is a great reader of the game and is superb with the boot.”
Byrne feels, however, that Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton has ‘a slight edge’ over his opposite number.
“His reading of the game is excellent and, last week against Wales, his defence was huge,” said Byrne.
On current form, Sexton and Farrell will travel to Australia with the Lions this summer. The victor on Sunday may well be handed the 10 jersey by Lions coach Warren Gatland.
Shane Byrne’s Club Rugby Magazine is available monthly in the Irish Independent. Follow the magazine, and all the latest rugby news, on Twitter @ClubRugby1.
