Farrell junior comes of age
SARACENS (26) vs HARLEQUINS (14)
SARACENS coach Andy Farrell was full of paternal pride after his son, Owen, inspired his side to a narrow Premiership victory over Harlequins.
The 19-year-old fly-half controlled proceedings with a maturity beyond his years and contributed 16 points with the boot, kicking four penalties and converting tries from David Strettle and Schalk Brits.
Farrell senior said: “I have been watching him and analysing him all of his life, so he knows I will be an objective critic. But he played a very fine game out there, and I’m very chuffed.
“Circumstances have meant that we have put a number of the academy boys into the first XV recently, and they have all done well in my opinion. They make mistakes, of course they do. But they learn from them, as we all did as players.
“It was particularly good to see Owen kicking so well tactically, taking his time and making his decisions calmly. The best fly-halves play as if they are wearing dinner suits, that is when they are controlling things and looking settled.”
Quins took an early lead through George Lowe’s try, but Farrell’s boot and the scores from Strettle and Brits helped Sarries to a 20-11 half-time lead. The second-half deteriorated into something of a kicking contest, as Saracens closed out the win which took them up to third in the table.
ROUND-UP | WASPS DOWN EXETER
Wasps overcame freezing fog to defeat Exeter and climb to fifth in the Premiership with a 24-12 victory. Dave Walder kicked four penalties and a conversion. Elsewhere, London Irish were beaten 23-14 at home by Leicester.