"In his head" - Owen Farrell furious with dad Andy Farrell's mind games
Rugby NewsSunday, 29 January 2023 at 22:01
Owen Farrell expressed his dissatisfaction in an interview with The Times over Andy Farrell purchasing Ireland jerseys for his kids ahead of the 2023 Six Nations.
England coach Steve Borthwick retained the Saracens fly-half, who missed the entire 2022 Six Nations, as captain after naming his first squad.
That means Farrell will once again come toe-to-toe with his Dad Andy, who is the head coach of Ireland.
Farrell said: "My eldest has an Ireland shirt. I asked him why he has got one. He said, ‘It’s grandad’s team’ and I said, ‘You can wear a suit like grandad does, then, not the kit.’ They’re into anything sporty and my dad got them a Manchester City top which I’m not happy about as well.
"I’ve got two little lads that love running around, going to the park, anything. I don’t know if it’s more me or him, or I’m forcing it on him, but with my eldest [Tommy] I’m trying to get him to the driving range a little bit.
"He seems to like it, but I don’t know if that’s me just telling myself that! I like playing golf, but I’ve not got an official handicap. I don’t play enough to hand that many cards in.”
Farrell believes becoming a father has helped him play rugby with new perspective.
“I think it’s helped me not dwell on things too much – that’s both good and bad,” said Farrell, who has been re-installed as permanent captain by new head coach Steve Borthwick for the Guinness Six Nations Championship.
“I guess with young kids you get on with what’s in front of you. That’s the way I want to be anyway. They definitely help with that.
“When you get into that dinnertime, bathtime, bedtime routine about five o’clock you’re in for it then – there’s no getting out of that!
“I’ve got two little lads that love running around, going to the park, anything. They love being outside.
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Mike Brown's predicted Six Nations table:
#6. Italy
Brown wrote: "Their final game in Edinburgh could be the wooden spoon decider, but Scotland will have the home advantage,"
Brown's player to watch: Ange Capuozzo
#5. Scotland
Brown wrote: "They can have a world of a game and then be hopeless the following week,"
Brown's player to watch: Ruaridh McConnochie
#4. Wales
Brown wrote: "They've got an ageing squad but I don't necessarily see that as a problem,"
Brown's player to watch: Jac Morgan
#3. England
Brown wrote: "I expect them to come in re-energised and full of enthusiasm, like you always see when sports team has a change at the top."
Brown's player to watch: Cadan Murley
Try Celebrations for Cadan Murley of Harlequins as he goes over for a try during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins at Sandy Park on 25th September 2022. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#2. France
Brown wrote: "They've got such big ball carriers who are hard to stop and X-factor guys who thrive off that gain-line ball,"
Brown's player to watch: Yoram Moefana
#1. Ireland
Brown wrote: "If Johnny Sexton stays fit then they are the team to beat."
Brown's player to watch: Tadhg Beirne
Munster player Tadhg Beirne during the European Champions Cup Match between Wasps and Munster at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on December 12th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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