Across the Channel, the year will be animated by debates around the composition of the British and Irish Lions with a view to the tour to Australia. In the eyes of Jonathan Sexton, the position of 10 leaves no room for doubt: the Irishman is banking on Owen Farrell, although he is not very comfortable with Racing 92 at the start of the season.
It’s an understatement to say that Owen Farrell is making a timid debut in the colors of Racing 92. In five Top 14 matches and as many starts, the English fly-half has rarely been seen to his advantage. If it is too early to draw any conclusions, the first impression is undoubtedly not up to the hopes of the Ile-de-France region regarding the flagship rookie of the championship.
Still, the former Saracens conductor maintains very high ratings across the Channel. Questioned by the Times Regarding the next tour of the British and Irish Lions, Jonathan Sexton indicated that he would choose the Englishman to lead the game of the prestigious selection in Australia next summer: “I’d take Owen Farrell. Who would you want to have when the going gets tough? A test match beast. I know who the media would like. Finn Russell, Marcus Smith, the ‘flashy’…” And the former captain of the XV du Trèfle clarified his point: “Marcus is a generational talent, from my point of view. But I wouldn’t put him in. He looks flashy but I think he handles the game well too. But I would still say Owen. He can do so many remarkable things.”
“One of the best I have played with”
If his departure for France made him ineligible for the XV de la Rose, Farrell remains a candidate for the Lions tour, as Andy Farrell, his father, recently clarified. In any case, Jonathan Sexton is full of praise for his former rival. Until placing it on an astonishing pedestal: “If Owen Farrell was Irish he would be considered the greatest player we’ve had. He’s an incredible competitor.”
The best player in the world 2018 is all the more surprised by the relatively low love rating of the former Sarries: “But for some reason he just didn’t get that (respect, N.D.L.R.). He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had, one of the best players I’ve played with. […] This is someone who should still be playing international rugby and captaining England. I have nothing but admiration for him. When you know him as a person, you see the real Owen Farrell.” That’s what we call a beautiful tribute.
