Farrell would make a great leader of Lions says Mako

Mako Vunipola reckons ‘world-class’  Owen Farrell would make a fantastic job of captaining the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand this summer should Warren Gatland make that call.
Head coach Gatland will reveal his squad on April 19 and has name-checked Farrell among half-a-dozen candidates to lead the touring party on their arduous trip Down Under, with Alun-Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Dylan Hartley and Rory Best also in the mix.
Saracens prop Vunipola would have no qualms over his club colleague being put in charge, telling The Rugby Paper: “If they did appoint Owen as captain it would be amazing for him as a player and it’s something he would thoroughly deserve. He’d do a great job.
“Owen leads by the way he plays but he’s also got a very mature head on his shoulders and he’s played in so many big games now, both for club and country, that he’s proved he’s got the temperament, especially with his goal-kicking under intense pressure.
“He’s been the focal point of an England defence which has conceded very few tries, but he’s also become pivotal to our game in general. He’s got every quality to be a great captain and if he does get the chance I’d be very happy as a player.”
Vunipola, below, insists Farrell would command respect from those around him, adding: “People will follow him, 100 per cent. He’s one of those players who drags people with him and at times when you might be struggling his sheer determination pulls you along.
“There’s not a day in training where he’s off his game or taking things easy; his level never drops and he’s always setting the highest standards. He’s done that year-in, year-out with Saracens and England so he’s very much in the mix for that captaincy.
“There are a lot of great players in the running, but the best thing about Owen is nothing fazes him and he’s so competitive that he can put outside pressures to one side and focus exactly on what he’s doing on the field.
“He makes everything look so simple and he’s proven that he’s a world-class player and great leader, so I’m sure that’s what Warren will be looking at.”
Vunipola admits there was a hollow feeling in Dublin last weekend after England lifted the Six Nations trophy for the second year in succession but failed in their bid to secure back-to-back Grand Slams and a world record 19th successive victory.
Head coach Eddie Jones accepted the blame but Vunipola reckons the Australian was wrong to do so and says England’s failure to achieve dominance up front was the main contributory factor behind their disappointing 13-9 defeat.
He said: “There were massive mixed feelings because we’d talked about achieving something that hadn’t been done in the Six Nations before. Winning the tournament two years in a row is an achievement in itself but we wanted that Grand Slam.
“We had a plan to nullify Ireland‘s driving maul because we knew how dangerous it was. We knew we had to try and get on top of that and that was the challenge for us as forwards to stand up to, but we didn’t execute our plan as well as we could have.
“It’s a bit harsh to let Eddie take the blame for that but that’s the kind of guy he is and that’s why we as a team love following him. Unfortunately, Ireland were the better team on the day and we must strive to be one or two per cent better.”
Despite last week’s loss, Vunipola feels the gap with New Zealand is narrowing, adding: “They’re still No.1 but we feel we’re getting closer. We’re excited about the way it’s going under Eddie and hopefully we’ll one day get the chance to prove it.”
Having returned early from December’s knee injury to feature in England’s last three Six Nations matches, Vunipola now has his sights on creating history with Saracens and then earning a second tour of duty with the Lions after visiting Australia in 2013.
Leicester are the only English side to achieve back-to-back Premiership and European Cup ‘doubles’, having achieved the feat in 2001 and 2002, but Saracens are again well placed in both ahead of next week’s Champions Cup quarter-final against Glasgow.
Vunipola, 26, said: “It would be fantastic to emulate such a great team as Leicester.
“We can’t focus too far ahead but we’ve definitely spoken about leaving a legacy and creating our own bit of history – and that starts now.
“We’ve got our England boys back and it’s good to be back in our club environment. Saracens treat us unbelievably well so hopefully we can bring some of the learning we’ve had during the Six Nations to bear and achieve something special.
“We’ve had injuries this year but the players coming in have done a hell of a job in keeping us in the mix for a ‘double’.
“We’ve got a chance to go out and beat Bath today which would enhance our chances ahead of a huge game against Glasgow.”
As for his Lions ambitions, Vunipola said: “It’s the pinnacle for European players and I desperately want to be in there again. To go up against New Zealand, the world champions, is a massive challenge but what an opportunity that would be.”
Injury permitting, Vunipola looks a nailed-on selection and he believes England colleague Joe Marler would warrant another loosehead slots.
He added: “Joe’s up there as one of the best props in Europe now and he definitely put his hand up in the Six Nations. His attitude is spot on, the disciplinary stuff is behind him and he’s such a reliable player for England that he deserves his chance.”
NEALE HARVEY