Anthony Watson says England need Owen Farrell to return and he should be invited to join the squad ahead of their World Cup match against South Africa.
Farrell, England’s record goalscorer, has not worn the Rose since stepping down as captain and taking an indefinite break from Test rugby after the 2023 World Cup to prioritize his mental health and that of his family.
The 112-cap star returned to the international stage to play two Tests for the British and Irish Lions in Australia last summer, but was an outlier in the England team that endured its worst ever Six Nations campaign.
The interior of the facility
On Saturday Farrell is at home to Saracens in Bath in the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16s, the Londoners have little chance of victory as they were beaten 62-15 by the same opponents in the league two weeks ago.
However Watson, who won most of his 56 England caps alongside Farrell, is firm in his belief that the 34-year-old will add value to a national team that has lost its way this season.
“Should he be a part of things in South Africa or at least give him a chance to be 100 percent,” said the three-time star. “I had the same feeling throughout the Six Nations, and last autumn.
“Being healthy aside, I didn’t think there was any reason for him not to be in the team.” England have historically played their best games with him at 12, and the 12 level is probably the only one that hasn’t been.
Investec Champions Cup Round of 16: Predictions, teams, kick-off times, how to watch and referee selection
Watson, who will be on commentary duty for Premier Sports at the Rec, added: “For me, Owen is someone who can put on that No. 12 shirt in an instant and not move.
He can provide the gel for the latter, becoming the last England player to be nailed. Now, I would argue, they have one of the top three teams in the world.
All those close to the player and England manager Steve Borthwick would know is whether the conversation has already taken place and Farrell has politely declined, leaving the coach under pressure to whittle down a list of other 12s including Seb Atkinson, Fraser Dingwall and Max Ojomoh.
Another takeaway is that at the age of 34, and two and a half years out of the shirt, Farrell has lost some of the power that made him such a force with England for 12 years where he scored 1,237 points, reached the World Cup final and semi-final and won three Six Nations titles.
Watson, for one, isn’t buying that. When asked if this year’s Champions League represents Farrell’s last chance to win a major trophy, the former London Irish, Bath and Leicester star said: “Not at all!
“If there’s one man you don’t know, it’s Owen Farrell.” I don’t know how long he plans to play, but a team with Owen Farrell is better than one without him.
It made England’s seven wickets difficult when Steve Borthwick handled Trevor Davison’s hammer blast
“So, if he chooses to play another three seasons, let’s say, in each of those seasons I would say Sarries will be competing, at least, for titles.
Knowing him as a competitor that I know, I can say that he still has many years of playing ahead of him. And knowing him like Steve, you will know exactly how powerful it is to have him on the team.
In all of this, it’s hard to imagine Sarries, even with Farrell still in form, troubling Bath in the Round of 16 where it’s hard to see a winner, apart from Sale at Harlequins.
“It’s fair to say that if you look at this game in terms of recent form you can put a lot of money on Bath,” Watson admitted. But there is something about Saracens when they are puppies that makes them dangerous.
Never count out Saracens
“With that in mind, if I was a betting man I would run away from this game. You can never count out a team with Owen, Maro Itoje, Ben Earl, Jamie George and Elliot Daly.
“I think of the 2023 Six Nations when we were beaten at home by France, sending 50 points. The week after we went to the Aviva to play unbeaten Ireland.
Want more from Planet Rugby? We added as favorite source on Google to your favorites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
“Everyone was reading us and who was driving the response, Owen, Maro and those guys.” We didn’t win the game but we made Ireland swear.
“If Bath take this game lightly, they might be surprised, but Johann [van Graan] I will know that. You will realize the challenge these men present. ”
All the action from a huge week of Investec Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup rugby is available on Premier Sports this Easter weekend with quarter-final places at stake. Anthony Watson is part of the Premier Sports team that brings every moment of drama from the biggest international rugby league matches in the UK and Ireland. Visit premiersports.com to join from just £11.99 a month @PremSports.tv
READ MORE: Northampton v Castres: Springboks hopeful with England among six changes for Fin Smith-less Saints as Henry Pollock changes
#Owen #Farrell #return #Springboks #England #legend #urges #Steve #Borthwick #pick #unshakable #veterans