Owen Farrell has opted out of the 2024 Six Nations to prioritize his mental well-being. Despite his absence on the field, he remains actively involved in supporting England’s new captain, Jamie George, offering guidance from a distance.
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Having shared numerous battles for their country in the past, Farrell has passed the leadership role to George but continues to provide valuable advice to his successor.
“I’m aware of the impact it can have on friends and family but it’s something that I was hugely honoured to be asked,” George added.
“I have got a job to do, filling some pretty big shoes in Owen’s and that was where my head went straight away.
“Owen and I are very close, in my opinion (he is) one of the greatest players to ever play for England and one of the greatest leaders to ever lead England.
“I think he’s completely transformed the way English rugby is perceived and I would be stupid not to pick his brains and I feel very privileged to have worked under him for such a long period.
“Owen and I are very close, in my opinion (he is) one of the greatest players to ever play for England and one of the greatest leaders to ever lead England.
“I think he’s completely transformed the way English rugby is perceived and I would be stupid not to pick his brains and I feel very privileged to have worked under him for such a long period.
“When you have been in an environment for so long and having those leaders driving the team week in week out, day in day out for years on end, it’s obviously a void that needs to be filled.”
Every nations best and worst player in opening round of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations
We’ve decided to give everybody a little review of the opening weekend of the 2023 Six Nation by deciding who has been each nations best and worst player.
FRANCE:
Best: Uini Atonio
Rugby Pass 6.5/10: “The big man did the business in the scrums giving Porter a torrid time and winning a couple of penalties. Effective in the defence where just standing there is enough to create the impression there is a blue wall erected on the pitch.”
Telegraph 8/10: “France’s leading light. Some of the defensive shots were thunderous – and legal – and his scrummaging was faultless.”
Worst: Paul Willemse
Rugby Pass 1/10: “Got one point for running onto the pitch because after that it was a disaster for the lock forward. Lucky to get a yellow for his hit on Andrew Porter, he didn’t learn his lesson after 10 minutes contemplation and another hit to the head of an opponent, he left the referee with no option but to end his contest. Dumb.”
Planet Rugby 2/10: ““How do you want us to tackle?” were the words the second-rower asked before being issued his second yellow card and subsequent red. The answer is simple: lower Paul, lower.”
Telegraph 1/10: “The first hit was silly enough but to commit exactly the same offence six minutes after returning to the field, after a get-out-jail-free card, bordered on lunacy. France’s hopes of victory departed with him.”
IRELAND:
Best: Joe McCarthy
Telegraph 9/10: “Tenacious and towering on Six Nations debut. A man possessed at lock with a phenomenal future ahead. One careless dropped pass the only blot.”
Rugby Dump 9/10: “Mark these words: McCarthy will be the building block of the Irish pack for the next decade. The 22-year-old obliterated his French counterparts and was deservedly named player of the match, his carrying ability was off the charts.”
Rugby Pass 8.5/10: “A revelation in the second row, the Leinsterman’s athleticism and physicality were a pivotal part of the Irish effort. Ran out of steam in the second half.”
Worst: Andrew Porter
Telegraph 6/10: “The effort could not be faulted and certainly he remains one of the world’s best but Atonio, then Aldegheri, troubled him.”
Planet Rugby 5/10: “For all his excellence around the park, he is still a liability in the scrums and was taught another lesson from Uini Atonio, who dominated him in the set-piece. Ticked the boxes in open play but not in the scrum.”