Rugby

Eddie Jones hints that Owen Farrell could be stripped of England captaincy

England head coach Eddie Jones has offered Owen Farrell no guarentees that he will be captain for the Six Nations.

The Aussie, who usually refutes any question the Saracens mans leadership, seemed open to naming a new captain.

“We’ll worry about that selection when selection comes,” Jones told The Times.

Precise details are still to be confirmed, but the indications are that Farrell requires an operation on an ankle injury suffered against Australia and will be out for 10-12 weeks. 

That means he should be returning around the time the Six Nations kicks off.

Next year, the opening fixture is against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 5 and after losing at home against the same opponents in the 2021 tournament, Jones will want to go to Edinburgh with his strongest side. 

EDITORS PICKS:

Four players Eddie Jones should drop – and who should replace them for the Six Nations

#1. Owen Farrell

The England captain would have hoped to play a much bigger on-field role. Unstinting team man as always but England actually looked a better team with him not on the field.

Owen Farrell of England limps off injured during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK

Replacement: George Ford

The 28-year-old’s uplift in form since being dropped by Jones has been incredible with a number of flawless performances in the Gallagher Premiership for Leicester. He feels like a more appropriate deputy for Marcus Smith, and has plenty of experience to pass on to the 22-year-old upstart.

Leicester Tigers player George Ford (c) during the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Nov 5th – PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK

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The post Eddie Jones hints that Owen Farrell could be stripped of England captaincy appeared first on Ruck.

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