Farrell Can Lead Lions Like Johnno Says Telfer

OWEN FARRELL has emerged as a candidate to captain the Lions this summer according to one of the game’s most revered figures.

- Peter Jackson

Jim Telfer, a four-tour Lions veteran as player, coach and head coach, believes England’s match winner has pushed himself into consideration at the age of 25 as an alternative to the leading contenders, AlunWyn Jones and Rory Best.

Telfer, part of the management team behind Martin Johnson’s inspired choice as Lions captain in 1997 before he led England, is in no doubt that Farrell could make the same quantum leap this summer.

“Alun-Wyn Jones is the favourite, but Farrell is one player who may come into the reckoning,” Telfer told The Rugby Paper. “He’s already been on one Lions tour and he’s a certainty to go on this one. Martin Johnson was in a similar position when we went to South Africa 20 years ago.

“Owen Farrell is an England captain in the making, particularly if Dylan Hartley is only playing half a game. Among the younger players, Farrell stands out as a candidate. He has the mental strength required and he thrives in the bigmatch atmosphere.