England’s Saracens players will race out the blocks in Six Nations, insists Owen Farrell

Farrell, Maro Itoje, Jamie George, Majo Vunipola and Elliot Daly have not played since early December

Duncan Bech
Thursday 28 January 2021 04:42 EST
Comments
England lift 2020 Six Nations trophy

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Owen Farrell insists England's Saracens contingent will race out of the blocks when the Guinness Six Nations begins against Scotland at Twickenham on 6 February.

Only Billy Vunipola has played since the triumphant Autumn Nations Cup final against France in early December, the number eight making one appearance in a second-tier competition.

Farrell, Maro Itoje, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola and Elliot Daly have been inactive, but England's captain insists the time has been put to good use.

READ MORE: Marler will be considered for future call-ups

"We have seen it as an opportunity to get some good training under our belts," Farrell said.

"Over the past few years we haven't had much of an opportunity for a pre-season to get ourselves some good training. So this time has been massive.

"We've not been injured, we have been working hard off the field with pre-season stuff - running and gym - to make sure we are strong enough.

"Then we've had a ball in our hands. It's not like we have been sat on a physio bed. We have been training for this.

"We are doing all we can do to be in the best position to cope with match fitness. We have 10 days to prepare and the rugby training comes into that."

Head coach Eddie Jones views the opportunity to train without playing as invaluable.

"The Saracens boys, over the last five years, have played six seasons of rugby," Jones said.

"For them to actually have a pre-season now is a God-send. They will come back in much better condition than they'd normally be in at this time of year."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in