England's Owen Farrell ready for family battle against father and Ireland coach Andy Farrell
Tuesday 14 March 2017 22:54, UK
England centre Owen Farrell is ready to put family ties to one side for 80 minutes as he comes up against father and Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell in Dublin on Saturday.
With the Six Nations title already secured, England go into their fixture with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium looking to clinch a second consecutive Grand Slam, and first back-to-back in the championship since 1992-93.
Andy Farrell, by contrast, was part of an Ireland coaching team which could only watch on as the side slipped to a 22-9 defeat to Wales in Cardiff on Friday night, extinguishing any title hopes ahead of the clash in Dublin.
Saturday's fixture will be the first time in Owen Farrell's career that he will play against his father, having featured under him while he was England's defence coach until his departure alongside Stuart Lancaster.
While the Saracens playmaker has revealed he is ready for the challenge, he said it will be a strange day for his mother Colleen.
"We don't really joke about it. It's not like he's playing the game, there's only one of us playing in it and he's obviously got a coaching role," said Farrell.
"I think the only person it will affect is my mum, not us. She just wants everyone to do well. She wants 3-0 England I think.
"[My father and I] don't speak to each other every day. We speak to each other what I would say is the normal amount, as any family would."
As well as aiming for the Grand Slam in Dublin, Farrell and his teammates will look to surpass the All Blacks' unbeaten record, having equalled the 18-game streak with their empathetic 61-21 victory over Scotland in Twickenham.
The 25-year-old has been key throughout England's unbeaten run under Eddie Jones, dovetailing from inside centre with out-half George Ford in attacks.
Andy Farrell meanwhile will be looking for a response from the Ireland squad, as they seek to avoid losing all three Triple Crown matches in one championship for the first time since 1998.
