By Mitch Phillips
BAGSHOT, England Feb 23 (Reuters) – England fans
approaching Saturday’s Twickenham game against Wales with
trepidation would do well to spend time in the company of Owen
Farrell, the nerveless 20-year-old who will pilot the fledging
team from flyhalf for the first time.
Farrell, who won his first two caps at inside centre in the
away Six Nations wins over Scotland and Italy, was given the
playmaker reins after injury ruled out Charlie Hodgson, with
fit-again Toby Flood, last season’s first-choice, forced to
settle for a place on the bench.
Inside Farrell, known as “Faz” by team mates almost in awe
of his startling maturity, Lee Dickson will make his first
international start at scrumhalf, as will number eight Ben
Morgan – all three men winning only their third caps.
England’s starting team boast just 182 caps between them,
over 300 less than their rivals on Saturday, who start as
bookmakers’ favourites to complete their 20th triple crown.
Seven of England’s XV are making their first Twickenham
start while the Welsh bench boasts more caps than the home
side’s starting team.
Such a scenario might be enough to send a quiver of doubt
through most players, but Farrell is firmly in the mould of his
flyhalf forerunner Jonny Wilkinson when it comes to ice in the
veins.
“You do get nervous but when you’ve got your job going
through your head and you talk yourself into what you’ve got to
do I don’t think there’s anything else to think about and you
have to concentrate on what’s in front of you,” he said.
“I’ve always had it but I’ve worked hard to learn as much as
I can. You learn the system and watch the games so you earn the
right to talk to other people – not boss them but try to lead
them.
Continued…
