Owen Farrell denies rift with fly-half rival George Ford
Friday 14 August 2015 12:03, UK
Owen Farrell says he remains close friends with Bath's George Ford, despite the fact the two are currently vying for the same England fly-half position.
Farrell got the nod over Ford for Saturday's World Cup warm-up match against France at Twickenham.
It will be his first England appearance since last November, when he was dropped for the 26-17 victory against Australia.
A knee injury then forced Farrell to miss the entire Six Nations Championship during which Ford overtook the Saracens man as Stuart Lancaster's first-choice number 10.
Farrell insists he and Ford, along with third choice fly-half Danny Cipriani, remain on good terms despite the competition for places.
"Yes, it's easy to keep our friendship because it's all about the team," said the 23 year-old.
"We want to do well individually and the players who are here will give everything to achieve that.
"If someone is picked in the end and you aren't when you've given everything, you can still hold your head up high.
"There are three players here who are trying to do their best for the country and for the team. They want to improve themselves and push those around them for this team.
"I've no doubt the other two see it as the same as me - as long as we push ourselves as much as we can, we'll be happy."
England are set to start Saturday's game with an uncapped centre partnership of Sam Burgess and Henry Slade.
Burgess has made swift progress since switching from rugby league last October and Farrell, who also has experience of crossing codes in his youth, has backed the former Bradford Bull to impress on debut.
"Sam has been in camp for a long time now and has improved week on week," Farrell said.
"I'm very excited to get out there and play alongside him and to play with a character like that. Hopefully he'll get the opportunity to show what he can do.
"Sam has a lot of experience of playing in big games on the big stage. You'll have seen the character that he has in the games he's played in rugby league and for Bath. I hope he gets a chance to show it in England colours."
