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England duo Owen Farrell (right) and Billy Vunipola.

'One bad half and now everyone's questioning' - Vunipola defends captain Farrell

Owen Farrell has come in for criticism since the draw with Scotland, but Billy Vunipola says it’s unwarranted.

BILLY VUNIPOLA HAS staunchly defended Owen Farrell’s leadership skills after England’s Six Nations capitulation against Scotland.

Farrell had a second half to forget as England blew a 31-point lead to draw 38-38 in an astonishing final match of the tournament at Twickenham on Saturday.

Head coach Eddie Jones replaced Farrell, sole captain in the absence of Dylan Hartley, and said the out-half had “lost a bit of his edge” after Scotland roared back to retain the Calcutta Cup.

Vunipola says his Saracens and England team-mate does not deserve the criticism that has come his way.

The number eight told Omnisport: “The media is up and down and sometimes you can’t believe the hype. I support Faz and what he’s brought to the group, the way he’s led us.

“It’s just unfortunate that we didn’t get the results that we wanted, but it’s coming. I believe that it will, I have faith that it will, we just have to show everyone else.”

He added: “It was only a few weeks ago that he was one of the best [out-halves in the world] and now obviously we have one bad half and now everyone’s questioning: is he still our captain?

“That’s the pressure that comes with playing for England and that’s just something that we have to learn from, same for him.

“He has my support and I’m just in the team to try and help in any way that I can and he’s doing the same but leading us.” 

Vunipola was speaking at a coaching session he was leading with fellow Saracens and Harlequins players on behalf of Land Rover at Beaconsfield RFC.

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    Mute Glenbower
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:46 AM

    Barry Daly was particularly unlucky with injuries. A very effective try-scorer.

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    Mute Barra Mac An Bhaird
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    Jun 25th 2020, 2:14 PM

    @Glenbower: would he be worth a shot by Connacht? Seriously depleted in the back 3

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    Mute hypebeast
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    Jun 25th 2020, 2:44 PM

    @Barra Mac An Bhaird: yes I think he’s a class player annoyed that leinster did not keep was extremely sharp before his injury.

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    Mute Stephen Rogan
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    Jun 25th 2020, 3:48 PM

    @hypebeast: Totally agree. Great skillset and excellent finisher; I don’t remember him ever making a significant mistake. I prefer him to Kelleher in the back 3. He’d be a very good addition to the Connacht squad.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Jun 25th 2020, 5:58 PM

    @Barra Mac An Bhaird: I have a feeling he may be retiring due to injuries

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    Mute Sam Harms
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:46 AM

    Sad to see Barry Daly is leaving

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:39 AM

    That’s remarkable work

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    Mute #JUSTICE4NOEL
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:32 AM

    New contracts for Leavy, connors and VDF…..

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jun 25th 2020, 12:59 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: Maybe now that will put to bed any notions of other provinces scrounging around looking for one of them!

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    Mute Kevin
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    Jun 25th 2020, 12:17 PM

    That’s a great mornings business. Delighted Fardy is getting another contract. He brings so much to Leinster. Great to see all the 7’s staying too though Leo has some selection headaches now.

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    Mute Andy Dwyer
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    Jun 25th 2020, 12:50 PM

    @Kevin: Great to see Fardy stay. A real leader. We might see him in a coaching role in 2 years. 5 players promoted from the academy is a great return also.

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    Mute Umpaloompa
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:59 AM

    Great bit of business, always good to see the academy lads getting senior contracts. Nice to see all the 7s are staying as well as Fardy.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:01 PM

    Gutted for Barry Daly. Fastest man in the squad and hugely prolific scorer. Desperately unlucky with injuries, it’s such a shame. Schmidt even had called him into camp at one point.

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    Mute Pretty Ladee
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:52 AM

    Any of these players interested in a move West, Connacht getting weaker each year since 2016.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:18 PM

    @Pretty Ladee: 2 of the players leaving are going west.

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    Mute Pretty Ladee
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:19 PM

    @Chris Mc: connacht need proven professionals not kids,

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    Mute Kohn Jeenan
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:32 PM

    @Pretty Ladee: didn’t qualify for the Heineken cup 2 years in a row and followed that up by qualifying the next 2 years in a row, doesnt really sound like a decline ?

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    Mute Pretty Ladee
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    Jun 25th 2020, 3:20 PM

    @Kohn Jeenan: look at this years departures, compared to signings, hardly an achievement qualifying for the heineken cup

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Jun 25th 2020, 5:34 PM

    @Pretty Ladee: there’s hardly a single player to come through the leinster academy that’s not ready for the pro 14

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    Mute Kohn Jeenan
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    Jun 25th 2020, 5:54 PM

    @Pretty Ladee: we’ve qualified on our own merit for the Heineken cup maybe a few times ever so I’m not sure how you can say it’s not an achievement, departures is kind of worrying but have to presume there’s some plan

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    Mute Ro Molloy
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    Jun 26th 2020, 1:58 PM

    @Pretty Ladee: Aungier is a gem of a player and a big loss to Leinster. He will soon be a favourate in the Sportsground

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    Mute Conor Mulloy
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:52 AM

    With Joe Tomane departing, I presume Leinster have room to sign another non Irish player, obviously not possible with the current economic situation.
    Amazing to think that with Leinster’s academy, they will need nor miss this opportunity!

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Jun 25th 2020, 12:35 PM

    @Conor Mulloy: a none irish loose head might be the only requirement as healy will be away and is not getting any younger. Saying that it’s a great opportunity for the younger lads to step up.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:04 PM

    @Chris Mc: A NIQ loosehead is a good shout. That said, Dooley had upped his game pre-COVID19 and was playing very well.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:17 PM

    @Carmine Lorenzo: agree Dooley has stepped up but say going into a HC final and healy was injured dooley and Byrne doesn’t sound as good as healy and mcgrath

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:49 PM

    @Chris Mc: Nope it definitely does not, a certain drop off there. I guess we’ll find out soon enough whether Milne has what it takes.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Jun 25th 2020, 2:08 PM

    @Carmine Lorenzo: if Leo trusts dooley Byrne and milne that’ll do for me.

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    Mute john flynn
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:39 AM

    Def jealous of that

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    Mute Mark Smith
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:01 PM

    Fantastic strength in depth and who would not want to sign on when the team is on the crest of a wave

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    Mute Niall Farren
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    Jun 25th 2020, 3:42 PM

    Yeah v disappointed for Daly, He’s a VG player when fit

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    Mute Damien Flanagan
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    Jun 25th 2020, 2:33 PM

    Great business by leinster selection ain’t easy delighted for Vardy

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:00 PM

    Are we becoming very forward heavy compared to backs. (with ferg and Rob) added to the list that moved on today

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