Ireland’s legendary fly-half, Johnny Sexton, has once again made his stance clear on former rival Owen Farrell in a recent interview with The Times, as he gave his opinion on who should wear the prestigious No.10 jersey for the British & Irish Lions on next year’s tour to Australia.
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While Sexton praised Farrell for his resilience and leadership, he was less enthusiastic about Finn Russell and, initially, England’s rising star Marcus Smith.
Farrell Favoured Over Flashy Rivals
“I’d pick Owen Farrell,” Sexton stated emphatically. “Who do you want in there when the going gets tough? Test-match animals. I know who the media would want—Finn Russell, Marcus Smith, the flashy types…”
However, Sexton quickly revised his position on Smith, singling out the England fly-half as a potential exception. “Marcus, I think, is a generational talent,” Sexton conceded. “I actually wouldn’t really include him [in the flashy category]. He looks flashy, but I think he manages the game really well. He can light up a game. But for me, I’d like Owen. He can do some remarkable things.”
Farrell: Ireland’s Greatest?
Sexton then heaped more praise on his long-time friend and rival, suggesting that if Farrell had been playing for Ireland, he would be considered their best-ever player. Farrell, who stepped away from international rugby following the World Cup, has faced intense scrutiny, including being booed and enduring online abuse.
“If Owen Farrell were Irish, he’d be considered the greatest player that we’ve had,” Sexton said. “An amazing competitor. But for some reason, he just didn’t get that [respect].”
Sexton’s Admiration for Farrell
Sexton also expressed regret over Farrell’s departure from the international stage, adding: “It’s tough to see him not playing international rugby. He’s someone that should be playing international rugby still and captaining England. I have nothing but admiration for him. When you know him as a person, you see the real Owen Farrell.”
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10 Most Overrated Players in Rugby Ranked
Many high-profile players continue to polarize opinions in the rugby world—one player might be considered overrated by some but highly regarded by others, leading to endless debates.
Here is RUCK Editor Steve Smith’s attempt at ranking the top 10 most overrated players in the world right now.
10 Most Overrated Players in Rugby Ranked
10. Ange Capuozzo (Italy) – The young Italian fullback has gained a lot of attention for his electrifying play and highlight-reel moments, but some critics feel that his defensive frailties and occasional lack of consistency make him less of an all-around threat than the hype suggests.
9. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) – Barrett is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, but some believe his performances have been inconsistent, particularly at the Test level in recent years. They argue that while he excels in Super Rugby, his form for the All Blacks has fluctuated.
8. Maro Itoje (England) – While Itoje is seen as a world-class lock and one of England’s key players, there are critics who believe that his influence is sometimes overstated, especially when England is struggling as a team.
