Former Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has backed Owen Farrell to be the starting British and Irish Lions fly-half in Australia next year.
Sexton spoke glowingly of Farrell stating that he is the kind of Test animal that is needed when the going gets tough and made a bold claim about the England number 10.
The retired Irish fly-half missed the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour as Warren Gatland selected Dan Biggar, Finn Russell and Farrell instead. Even when Russell was injured, it was Marcus Smith who was called up instead of Sexton.
Backing Owen Farrell as the Lions number ten
Sexton admits that his omission from the tour ‘really hurt’ and cheekily sent new head coach Andy Farrell a text about potentially pulling on the famous red jersey in Australia in 2025.
“When Andy [Farrell] got the job as Lions coach [for the 2025 tour to Australia], I texted him and said, ‘If I play for my club, would you consider me?’ He just wrote back, ‘No.’ So I’d say he’s glad to see the back of having to deal with me every day,” Sexton told The Times.
With the 39-year-old now retired, he has weighed in on who he would select in the number 10 jumper against the Wallabies.
“I’d pick Owen Farrell,” he said.
“Who do you want in there when the going gets tough? Test-match animals. I know who the media would want. Finn Russell, Marcus Smith, the flashy…”
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The publication noted that Sexton corrected himself, removing Smith from the ‘flashy’ bracket before speaking highly of the England number 10s.
“Marcus, I think, is a generational talent. I actually wouldn’t really include him. He looks flashy, but I think he manages the game really well,” he said.
“I think he can light up a game. But for me, I’d like Owen. He can do some remarkable things.”
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“If Owen Farrell were Irish”
Farrell hasn’t played for the Red Rose since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, initially making himself unavailable to Steve Borthwick for selection. He went on to join Racing 92 which made him ineligible for England. However, Farrell’s father Andy has confirmed that he will be able to select players based in France for the tour.
“We’ll consider everyone in regard to whether they will make a difference to the Lions touring party,” Farrell said of those potential Lions based in France. “That’s all that matters.”
Meanwhile, Sexton says that if Owen Farrell played for Ireland, he would be regarded as their greatest-ever player and should still be playing for England despite joining Racing 92.
“If Owen Farrell were Irish, he’d be considered the greatest player that we’ve had. An amazing competitor,” he added.
“But for some reason he just didn’t get that [respect]. He’s one of the best team-mates I’ve ever had. He’s one of the best players I’ve ever played with. It’s tough to see him not playing international rugby.
“He’s someone that should be playing international rugby still and captaining England. I have nothing but admiration for him. When you know him as a person, you see the real Owen Farrell.”
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