Owen Farrell v Jonny Wilkinson: How do the England No 10s compare?
Rugby NewsSaturday, 18 April 2020 at 01:10
Owen Farrell is very much his own man. A determined, focused and outrageously talented individual, he led England to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
The way the Wigan-born fly-half has progressed reflects the rise that Wilkinson experienced when he was brought into Sir Clive Woodward’s squad when he was an emerging 18 year-old.
Despite attempts to wrestle the shirt from Wilkinson’s possessive reputation, not one of Charlie Hodgson, Olly Barkley, Andy Goode or Toby Flood could make it their own, with Wilkinson even returning to take his country to another World Cup final in the most unlikeliest of campaigns in 2007.
There is still some way to go if Farrell will overtake Wilkinson as the best ever England fly-half, but we'd never write him off.
Owen Farrell v Jonny Wilkinson
Wigan (1991) Born Surrey (1979)
83 England Caps 91
11.01 Points per game 12.96
10 Tries 6
150 Conversions 162
185 Penalties 239
3 Drop Goals 36
914 Points 1179
69.87 Win % 73.07
Owen Farrell facts: 10 things you didn’t know about the England star
Being one of the most popular players on the globe is likely to generate an incredible fan-base globally, but we are fairly confident that there are some aspects of Owen Farrell’s life and career you are not familiar with.
Owen Farrell facts:
1. He started off in Rugby League
His education began in rugby league - he joined Wigan St Patricks at the age of eight.
2. School days
It's well known that the Saracens star went to school with England teammate George Ford, however, it's less well known that he went onto study Business at Hertfordshire University.
3. Celebration
Farrell celebrates every point he scores by linking his index fingers together to make a 'JJ' sign, the Joining Jack salute, Joining Jack being a charity dedicated to the needs of sufferers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.[ Farrell is also a patron for Duchenne muscular dystrophy charity Duchenne UK.
4. Record-breaker
He became the youngest ever player to appear in English professional rugby, making his debut aged 17 and 11 days. This record was later beaten by schoolmate Ford.
5. Family ties
It's well known that Owen is the son of Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. However, it's less commonly know that his uncle Sean O'Loughlin is also a rugby league legend, winning 34 caps for Great Britain between 1993 and 2009.
6. Tying the knot
He married his longtime girlfriend Georgina “Georgie” Farrell (née Lyon) in July 2018. Their son was born in 2019. Most of their relationship, has been kept largely private.
7. Name change
He was not at first registered as a Farrell, but took mum Colleen’s family name of O’Loughlin. The couple married in 1995, changing Owen’s surname to Farrell the following year.
8. Dog lover
Along with his wife Georgie, he loves long walks with his dogs.
9. Idols
Owen Farrell loves Swiss tennis star, Roger Federer. He admires his game management, consistency and skill.
10. Most physical player he's faced
"Schalk Burger without a doubt. He has something special inside him that keeps him going all day."
Schalk Burger of Saracens poses for a selfie with a rugby team from Chile during the Gallagher Premiership Match between Saracens and Gloucester Rugby at Allianz Park, London on September 23. - PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK - Rugby
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