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.

- Neale Harvey

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.