England Gamble on Farrell Against Boks After Barkley Ruled Out
Rugby union: Andy Farrell will play at fly-half for the first time in his career against South Africa on Friday after Olly Barkley was ruled out with a hip flexor strain.
Andy Farrell will be England's fly-half against South Africa on Friday night after Olly Barkley was ruled out with a hip flexor strain. Remarkably, it will be Farrell's first senior game of rugby union in the No10 shirt.
It had been thought that, given Barkley's injury and the continued absence of Jonny Wilkinson, Farrell would be used at inside center, leaving Mike Catt to assume the fly-half role. But Brian Ashton has opted not to shift Catt and instead hand Farrell the No10 shirt also England's goal-kicking duties.
Farrell was an effective kicker in rugby league, but only of conversions - he has little top-level experience of kicking the long-range penalties that are so crucial in union. However Wasps coach and Guardian columnist Shaun Edwards believes Farrell has the tools to excel at fly-half. "I strongly believe his best position is number 10 in rugby union," he said. "Even though he hasn't played there a great deal, he played first receiver a lot in rugby league."
With skipper Phil Vickery sidelined because of a two-match suspension, Leicester flanker Martin Corry will take over as captain.
It had been thought that, given Barkley's injury and the continued absence of Jonny Wilkinson, Farrell would be used at inside center, leaving Mike Catt to assume the fly-half role. But Brian Ashton has opted not to shift Catt and instead hand Farrell the No10 shirt also England's goal-kicking duties.
Farrell was an effective kicker in rugby league, but only of conversions - he has little top-level experience of kicking the long-range penalties that are so crucial in union. However Wasps coach and Guardian columnist Shaun Edwards believes Farrell has the tools to excel at fly-half. "I strongly believe his best position is number 10 in rugby union," he said. "Even though he hasn't played there a great deal, he played first receiver a lot in rugby league."
With skipper Phil Vickery sidelined because of a two-match suspension, Leicester flanker Martin Corry will take over as captain.
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
- England Suffer Another Blow As Farrell is Ruled Out
- Farrell Returns to Beef Up England's Backline Against Wallabies
- Farrell Not Finished After All, Says Red-faced Ford
- Noble Backs 'world-class' Farrell to Come Good
- Farrell Set to Face Boks After Barkley Ruled Out
- Farrell Looks to Justify His Big-game Reputation
- Farrell the Centre of Attention in Last Chance to Survive Ashton's Cut
- Rugby Union: Farrell Back As England Seek Edge
- Six Nations: Vickery and Farrell Join Wilkinson on England's Lengthening Injury List
- Farrell Should Not Shoulder All the Blame for Team Failings
- Rugby Union: Saracens Boss Backs Farrell's England Bid
- Six Nations: Farrell Set for Test Debut
- Big Interview: Andy Farrell
- Rugby Union: Challenge Cup: Saracens 47 - 20 Narbonne
- Rugby Union: World Xv 7 - 32 South Africa
- Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership: Saracens 22 - 16 Leicester
- Rugby Union: Saracens Bow to England on Farrell's Central Role
- Rugby Union: Heineken Cup: Saracens 28 - 23 Glasgow
- Rugby Union: Centre Stage Tait In, Farrell Out
- Rugby Union: Anglo-welsh Cup: Wasps 23 - 13 London Irish