"Creative X-factor" - Owen Farrell ranks his five toughest opponents

Sunday, 06 June 2021 at 16:14

byRugby Rucker

England and Saracens captain Owen Farrell has ranked some of his toughest opponents from his stellar career thus far.

#5. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)

Farrell Said: "“Johnny is a fantastic player and even though I had respect for him before the Lions, I have even more now.

france 13 ireland 15 johnny sexton stuns france with brilliant last gasp drop goal

"I enjoyed being around him, seeing what players bring to the job day in, day out, the detail they go into.

"Johnny demands stuff of people, demands that they know their jobs and get it right. He's always a really tough opponent.

Did you know? Sexton was the winner of World Rugby Player of the Year in 2018, having previously been a nominee for the award in 2014

#4. Schalk Burger (South Africa)

Farrell said: "You play against some unbelievably physical players, but I've never seen anyone be able put their body on the line like he does time and time again.

"He just keeps going all day."

DID YOU KNOW? His father, also called Schalk Burger, was an international lock, being capped for South Africa during the "isolation years" of the 1980s

#3. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)

Farrell said: "He's a world-class player. World [Rugby] player of the year twice in a row, there are not many people who have done that,

"He's classy, a brilliant athlete and those are the kind of people you want to play against. You look forward to coming up against them."

DID YOU KNOW? Barrett holds the world record for consecutive wins since his first test (19 wins from 19 tests)

#2. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

Farrell said: "Hoggy is a utility player who has a creative X-factor about him. He's almost impossible to defend against and is one of my toughest opponents I've faced for sure"

DID YOU KNOW? Hogg comes from a talented rugby family in the Borders. His father, John, played as a championship winning full-back for Hawick before becoming a rugby referee. His brother, Graham Hogg, has played for Scotland in the IRB Sevens World Series as well as representing his country at under-18, under-19 and under-20

#1. Jonny Wilkinson (England)

Farrell said: “It would have to be Jonny (Wilkinson), simple as that.

“The consistency he showed throughout his career was incredible, he set a new standard for fly-halves all over the world.

“Dan Carter is another one who has been incredible over a long period, but I’d have to stick with Jonny as my toughest opponent.”

DID YOU KNOW? He gained a place at the University of Durham, but gave his place up in 1997 to become a professional rugby union player with the Newcastle Falcons