Andy Farrell has hailed his son’s ‘mental strength, physical strength and resilience’ as Owen is poised to win his 100th England cap against New Zealand on Saturday/
Farrell junior will join legends Jason Leonard and Ben Youngs on England’s exclusive list of male Test centurions.
Andy will be in Dublin as his Ireland side face Australia earlier that day before watching his son take on the All Blacks at Twickenham.
“You know the sacrifice that’s gone into a career and anyone who gets up to 100 caps, they’ve shown mental strength, physical strength and resilience in both of those as well,” said Farrell senior.
“Then you add him being my son, it’s pretty special for parents.
“When I’m coaching against Owen or working with him, it’s just work. But when you’re watching your son play his 100th game or his first game, as a parent, that’s even more daunting and even more proud and even more nervous.
“His strength is like every person who gets to these types of milestones – he never thinks he’s that type of player that you’re talking about.
“You speak to Johnny (Sexton) and Conor (Murray) and they would tell you exactly the same. They want to prove their self-worth as a team-mate and as a player every single week and that’s why they stay right at the top through all the ups and downs.’
“I’m busy on Saturday so I can’t go to the game! Hopefully, I will be able to get to the South Africa game (at Twickenham on November 26). I’ve got to go on a recce to France regarding the World Cup, so I’ll see him after the South Africa game hopefully.
Owen Farrell facts:
- The Saracens star went to school with England teammate George Ford
- His education began in rugby league – he joined Wigan St Patricks at the age of eight
- He became the youngest ever player to appear in English professional rugby, making his debut aged 17 and 11 days. This record was later beaten by schoolmate Ford
- It’s well known that Owen is the son of Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. However, it’s less commonly know that his uncle Sean O’Loughlin is also a rugby league legend, winning 34 caps for Great Britain between 1993 and 2009
- He was not at first registered as a Farrell, but took mum Colleen’s family name of O’Loughlin. The couple married in 1995, changing Owen’s surname to Farrell the following year.
Fans are only just realising that Owen Farrell’s name wasn’t always Farrell
Owen Farrell’s birth certificate has been doing the rounds once again on social media – and fans are shocked to see that his name wasn’t always Farrell.
Andy Farrell has been married to his wife Colleen O’Loughlin since 1995.
The pair met as teenagers and had their first child Owen when Colleen was 16 years old.
As a result, Owen was not at first registered as a Farrell, but took mum Colleen’s family name of O’Loughlin.
The couple married in 1995, changing Owen’s surname to Farrell the following year. They also have three other children, Elleshia, Gracie and Gabriel.
A fans poll has ranked rugby’s five biggest d***heads
#5. Dan Biggar (Wales)
Dan Biggar facts:
- Biggar has twice been selected to tour with the British and Irish Lions (2017 & 2021)
- On 7 December 2015, Biggar won the BBC Cymru Sports Personality of the Year Award
- Biggar came through the Ospreys development pathway, having attended Gowerton Comprehensive School in Swansea
- The fly-half has his own routine before kicking goals, which fans now call “The Biggarena” after Los Del Rio’s 1995 hit, Macarena