Owen Farrell Didn't Hesitate When Naming The Toughest Opponent He Has Ever Faced

And the superstar fly-half revealed that he came up against his toughest opponent early in his career when Saracens came toe-to-toe with Toulon in the Heineken Champions Cup.

Speaking to David Flatman, the England captain hailed the former Newcastle Falcons fly-half while calling him his toughest opponent when asked.

"There are so many," said Farrell. "It would have to be Jonny (Wilkinson), simple as that."

"The consistency he showed throughout his career was incredible, he set a new standard for fly-halves all over the world.

"Dan Carter is another one who has been incredible over a long period, but I'd have to stick with Jonny as my toughest opponent."

Over the years, Farrell has clashed with several players—both teammates and rivals—and one feud, in particular, stands out.

Former England lock Dave Attwood didn’t hold back when discussing his strained relationship with Farrell. According to Attwood, things turned sour after a playful dig about rugby league—Farrell’s beloved code—went too far.

"I made a joke about rugby league being a sport for the peasants," Attwood revealed. "He confronted me, and it’s safe to say he didn’t find it funny. He hates me with a passion."

The tension between the pair never fully eased, with Attwood admitting, "We don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things."

Farrell’s competitive edge wasn’t limited to his own squad.

During the 2018 Six Nations, he locked horns with Scotland’s Ryan Wilson in a fiery tunnel bust-up. The incident escalated so much that Wilson later faced a ban from Twickenham.

Meanwhile, Farrell’s dynamic with former England flanker James Haskell is best described as a love-hate relationship. The pair’s "best mates" videos during the 2016 tour of Australia became legendary, though it was clear Farrell wasn’t always enjoying Haskell’s relentless banter.

Whether it was playful teasing or genuine irritation, their back-and-forth became a fan favorite—but Farrell’s patience often seemed to wear thin.

Despite these heated rivalries, Farrell commands the respect of rugby’s biggest names. Irish legend Johnny Sexton has nothing but praise for the fly-half, calling him "one of the best teammates I've ever had" and an "amazing competitor."

"If he were Irish, he'd be considered one of our greatest ever players," Sexton added.

Love him or hate him, Farrell’s no-nonsense approach to the game leaves a lasting impression—on teammates and opponents.

Despite facing a formidable All Blacks side, the squad was packed with legendary talent representing England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

From unforgettable tries to moments of controversy, this tour had it all—and it’s time to see just how much you remember!

Can you recall every player who pulled on the famous red jersey during that iconic tour? Dive into this quiz to test your Lions knowledge and relive a piece of rugby history!