Owen Farrell is best player in Europe says Eddie Jones
The England head coach hailed the Saracens star for his performances for his club since playing a key role in the Grand Slam success.
And Jones reckons the 24-year-old, who made the inside centre role during the Six Nations his own with George Ford the first choice fly-half, would deserve to win the special award.
Farrell could end up sitting on the bench on the tour to Australia if Jones chooses to start the fit-again Manu Tuilagi in the Test with the Wallabies.
Racing 92‘s Dan Carter is favourite to lift the European award, but Jones feels Farrell would deserve it as much as the All Black legend.
The Aussie said: “The one player who has really impressed me since the Six Nations has been Owen Farrell. When he gets on the field he has a real presence about him. He is still relatively young but he’s now playing with a very old head and a real confidence and belief each time he goes out there.
“He has a real desire to be the best he can and is improving all the time. He’s also not afraid to get his hands dirty as well as put his body on the line.
“When you put his Six Nations form alongside his club form he has to be a great candidate to be European Player of the Year. He has also shown his versatility in playing both at ten and twelve with the same skill.
“It’s a very strong list with so many outstanding players who have had fantastic seasons with their club and countries. But Owen should definitely be in very good contention for the award.”
Farrell is one of six England players in the hunt to be European Player of the Year with Sarries forward team-mates, Billy Vunipola, George Kruis and Maro Itoje also in the running plus Harlequins flanker Jack Clifford and Wasps centre Elliot Daly.
The last three winners are English – Nick Abendanon, Steffon Armitage and Jonny Wilkinson. The winner will be announced during May‘s finals weekend in Lyon.
GARY FITZGERALD
