Rugby Union: Sarries Seethe Over Farrell U-turn

Saracens have taken an angry swipe at Andy Robinson and the Rugby Football Union, saying they are "bemused" by the England management's change of heart regarding the former Great Britain rugby league captain Andy Farrell's best position in union.

England's head coach Andy Robinson and Saracens' director of rugby Alan Gaffney met last night to thrash out their differences, with the former increasingly keen to select Farrell at inside centre rather than blindside flanker.

Saracens, however, have been so upset by what they called "ill-informed opinion" and Twickenham's "bad planning" that club officials issued a terse statement before the Robinson-Gaffney summit.

In particular, the club say they were "confused" to hear Robinson and his defence coach Mike Ford apparently seeking a U-turn on Farrell on the evidence of just 85 minutes of first-team rugby union. As the 31-year-old has also just endured 18 months out through injury, Saracens' chief executive Mark Sinderberry is deeply unimpressed by what he believes is a knee-jerk reaction.

"The fact remains that Andy Farrell has to be given the time to adapt," said Sinderberry, fully aware Saracens stand to lose as much as England if the former Wigan captain fails to live up to expectations. "Let him learn about the game and ultimately he will find out the best position which suits him. When we announced the signing of Andy last March, Steve Diamond [former director of rugby] and Andy Robinson agreed it would take several months for him to adapt to the game and that hasn't changed. He still needs that time and to make a judgment after one and a half games reeks of bad planning and is reactionary."

Saracens have also made a point of leaving Farrell on the bench for Sunday's EDF Energy Cup tie against Cardiff Blues at Vicarage Road, a decision which means their costly new asset will once again have to be patient. The news will scarcely impress Robinson, who released Farrell early from England training in Loughborough this week to allow him more time to prepare for weekend club duty.

The furore has also frustrated Farrell's agent, Andy Clarke, who has his own views on his client's best position. "It's hilarious. . .he's playing in the only position which doesn't exist in rugby league," said Clarke, brushing aside rumours that Farrell is depressed and pondering a return to Super League. "He's just happy to be playing. People don't realise how close he was to retiring so criticism based on a couple of games is a bit low down his list of worries. What other people think never affects Andy Farrell."