Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Alex Spink

Owen Farrell says England players must share blame for Eddie Jones' sacking

Owen Farrell rescued Saracens then admitted his England team shared the responsibility for Eddie Jones losing his job.

Farrell kicked two late penalties and made a try-saving tackle as Sarries came from behind to win on their return to rugby’s Champions Cup.

A fortnight after he and his Red Rose team mates were booed off Twickenham, the England captain was the toast of a relieved home crowd.

But he was in no mood to celebrate at the end of a week in which Jones was dismissed after seven years as national coach.

“It’s unbelievably disappointing,” said Farrell. “For someone to get that [fired], it’s everybody that’s got them that."

England's dismal run of results, he added, "doesn't happen because of one person, it's everyone.

Farrell and Jones in conversation on training pitch during autumn (Getty Images)

"We owe a lot to him. I don't think [the impetus to replace Jones] has come from the players. Eddie’s been a big part of our career, a big part of my career.

"I’m disappointed it’s finished like it has. He’s always been a brilliant coach for me. For that I’m massively thankful.”

For a while yesterday at the StoneX it seemed Farrell would be given a painful reminder of England’s worst moment of the autumn, that home defeat by Argentina.

Elliot Daly scores Saracens' opening try against Edinburgh (Patrick Khachfe/JMP/REX/Shutterstock)

Emiliano Boffelli, the Pumas’ Twickenham matchwinner with 25 points, kicked Edinburgh into a 16-12 lead, a year to the day since beating Saracens on the same pitch in Europe’s secondary competition.

Luhan du Bruin scored an early try and although Elliot Daly and Ben Earl crossed to briefly put the Londoners ahead, Boffelli’s boot kept the Scots' noses in front.

Even when Daly chipped through for Alex Lewington to claim Sarries’ third try, Boffelli delivered again to put Edinburgh ahead for a third time.

Daly beats Duhan van der Merwe to score for Sarries and cap a fine individual display (Matt Impey/REX/Shutterstock)

It was then Farrell took matters into his own hands, shaking off two earlier misses to land back to back penalties in quick succession.

If that swung the pendulum towards the unbeaten Premiership leaders, the real turning point came when Farrell threw an interception.

Damien Hoyland raced clear and when he was hauled down metres from the line, James Lang looked certain to score.

Farrell kicked Saracens back into game before making last-ditch tackle to preserve the lead (Getty Images)

But Farrell, racing back into defence, threw himself at Lang and not only stopped him on the line but somehow got his body under the ball.

“It says something, doesn’t it, when Owen starts the problem, then solves it,” said Saracens boss Mark McCall. “That was a big moment in the game.”

Moments later the reprieved Londoners went up the other end of the field for replacement hooker Tom Wolstencroft to put the result to bed with the bonus point score.

A late Wes Goosen try earned Edinburgh a losing bonus point. It was the least they deserved.

SARACENS - Tries: Daly, Earl, Lewington, Wolstencroft. Cons : Farrell 2. Pens: Farrell 2.

EDINBURGH - Tries: Du Bruin, Goosen. Cons: Boffelli 2. Pens: Boffelli 4.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.