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The Saracens verdict on the 2021 form of England skipper Farrell

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Saracens boss Mark McCall has given his assessment of how England skipper Owen Farrell has played throughout 2021. Eddie Jones spoke in September about how the 30-year-old hadn’t “been at his best over the last period of time” while Farrell himself admitted this week that he “could have played better”. 

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His club coach McCall has now weighed in on the debate, suggesting people are too keen to focus on the negatives rather than the positives about Farrell, the Saracens skipper who is this week in Jersey preparing with England for their three-game November series.    

Asked for his thoughts on why Farrell hasn’t fired on all cylinders throughout 2021, Saracens boss McCall replied: “It’s probably a very, very long answer to that question which we probably don’t have enough time for but everyone knows Owen didn’t play a lot of rugby last season. 

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“That was probably the main problem going into the Six Nations and Owen would accept the first game against Scotland wasn’t his best, but I thought he played well after that in the Six Nations and people concentrated on the negatives rather than the positives.

“When he came back and played for us in the Championship he was magnificent and he led the team brilliantly at that level, and on the Lions tour he never really got going because he trained at twelve most of the time and didn’t get that much game time. But if you have watched our games this season, everyone would agree that he has been very influential when playing really well actually, all parts of his game and he goes into the autumn campaign in great form.”

That current improved form contrasts with Jones’ comments last month about his England Test team skipper. “All I am worried about is getting Owen Farrell back to his best,” he said. “He hasn’t been at his best over the last period of time but I am convinced that I can get him back to his best… there is no reason why he won’t be captain.”

Jones was proven right as Farrell went into England camp as their skipper and he spoke on Tuesday about the enthusiasm he now has for the 2021/21 season following his previous inconsistency. “I’d agree I could have played better, I’d agree there were parts of my game that I want to get back to and do more of. I came back this summer and couldn’t wait to get stuck into the games that were in front of us. 

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“I couldn’t wait to get back playing for the club, couldn’t wait to enjoy being out there on the field again and that is what I am at the minute and I am excited to see what is in front of us now with this England team. 

It is not the fact of not clicking, there is stuff that I can do more of that I have done well in the past or to get into my game as well. That is the same every year, that is the same every time you have a look at yourself at the end of the year and want to improve and this year is no different. The big thing is that you have got to perform in what is in front of you.”

 

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Trevor 56 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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