Noble Backs 'world-class' Farrell to Come Good

Andy Farrell may have missed with his most recent shot at goal in international rugby, in league's 2004 Tri-Nations final, but Brian Noble, who was his Great Britain coach at the time, has no doubts about his ability to kick for England tomorrow.

"It's not a gamble at all in my mind," said Noble, "as long as he's kept up the level of practice that he used to do as a regular goalkicker in rugby league. He was a world-class competent kicker in league, as his statistics show, and I used to see the work he put in, staying behind for hours after training sessions. I know it's very important in rugby union and they have to be sure, but providing he has kept doing that work I'd have no problems with him whatsoever."

Farrell was Britain's first-choice kicker in the majority of his 34 caps, and landed 1,335 goals in his 370 appearances for Wigan, second only to the club's great convert from Welsh rugby union, Jim Sullivan. Perhaps more significantly, he was successful with 82% of his kicks in his last Super League season in 2004, and that last failed conversion attempt for Great Britain was irrelevant because it came in the second half of a 44-4 win for Australia.