{"id":295383,"date":"2023-10-06T23:55:35","date_gmt":"2023-10-06T23:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=295383"},"modified":"2023-10-06T23:55:35","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T23:55:35","slug":"england-captain-owen-farell-hailed-as-one-of-rugbys-greats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/rugby-union\/england-captain-owen-farell-hailed-as-one-of-rugbys-greats\/","title":{"rendered":"England captain Owen Farell hailed as one of rugby's greats"},"content":{"rendered":"
Owen Farrell has been recognised as one of English rugby’s unheralded greats as he prepares to overtake Jonny Wilkinson as the country’s leading points scorer.<\/p>\n
England’s captain is one conversion away from overtaking Wilkinson’s record haul of 1,179 that has stood since 2011.<\/p>\n
Farrell has never enjoyed the same acclaim as Wilkinson but some of the sport’s biggest names paid tribute to him ahead of today’s World Cup game against Samoa.<\/p>\n
Former England coach Eddie Jones told Mail Sport: ‘Owen is a fantastic player – a real warrior. When he’s at his best and playing well, he makes such a difference to that team. That record is just testament to his desire, his hard work and his ability to influence the players around him.<\/p>\n
‘He probably isn’t remembered as one of the best in the world, but breaking that points-scoring record is a real reflection of the sort of player he’s been.’<\/p>\n
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Owen Farrell needs one point to break the record and become England’s leading points scorer<\/p>\n
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Jonny Wilkinson has held the record since 2011, but he retired from Test rugby in the same year<\/p>\n
Farrell will start in the No12 jersey on Saturday, lining up beside his long-time team-mate George Ford.<\/p>\n
Joining the applause, Sir Clive Woodward said: ‘In my humble opinion, Jonny Wilkinson is the best No 10 in the history of English rugby because of his achievements in the game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘For Owen Farrell to go past Wilkinson’s points record – as he is likely to do against Samoa today – is a great testament to his career and the resilience he’s shown. Farrell is a fantastic player who, unlike Wilkinson, perhaps doesn’t get the praise he deserves.<\/p>\n
‘Becoming the highest points scorer in English rugby is recognition of just how important he is to the national side. I’d like to say a big well done to Farrell and wish him good luck for the weekend and the rest of the World Cup.’<\/p>\n
England have already qualified for the quarter-final, where they are likely to face Fiji.<\/p>\n
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Sir Clive Woodward hailed fly-half and captain Owen Farrell as an underrated England great<\/p>\n
England:<\/span>\u00a0Steward; Marchant, Tuilagi, Farrell (capt), May; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George, Cole, Itoje, Chessum, Lawes, Curry, Earl.<\/p>\n Replacements:<\/span>\u00a0Dan, Marler, Sinckler, Martin, Vunipola, Care, Smith, Lawrence.<\/p>\n Samoa:<\/span>\u00a0Paia\u2019aua; Ah Wong, Manu, Toala, Fomai; Sopoaga, Taumateine; Jordan Lay, Malolo, Alaalatoa, Slade, Alainu\u2019u\u2019ese, McFarland, Lee, Luatua.<\/p>\n Replacements:<\/span>\u00a0Lam, James Lay, Alo-Emile, Fa\u2019aso\u2019o, Motuga, Matavao, Lealiifano, Fai\u2019ilagi.<\/p>\n Referee:<\/span>\u00a0Andrew Brace (Ireland)<\/p>\n