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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 Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 7:44 PM

    What would Calderon know ? . He said Zidane had rejected the offer last week ! Absolute chancer !

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    Mute Virgil Van Rock
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:17 PM

    Zidane was blessed to have Ronaldo while manager. 99% of game’s were won by him alone over that 3 year success. Zidane won’t know how to rebuild that team to same nights. He needs to sort the Courtouis and wife issue first. Very messy and and unsightly affair all together. Zidane is a legend, Madrid are a toxic club.

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:17 PM

    @Virgil Van Rock: yawn … see you May 2020 ya mouth !

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    Mute Stephen Lyons
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:33 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: Watch out for the parasite Limon

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    Mute David Weston
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:40 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: surely you can get a room before then

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 9:18 PM

    @David Weston: surely you’ll find a better one liner by then

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    Mute David Weston
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    Mar 12th 2019, 9:38 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: for you pair ?Nah that one is about right

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    Mute Virgil Van Rock
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:04 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: Point proven Ronaldo drags Juve into last 8, just like last 3 year’s with Real, don’t know what the other guy is chomping at the bit for, parasite ??

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:31 PM

    @Virgil Van Rock: no ones denying Ronaldos effect . But your clinging to Courtois’ love life is tenuous . Maybe Liverpool should sign Ronaldo ..

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:52 PM

    @Virgil Van Rock: just wondering when you’ll change your identity , when Liverpool win … or when they lose … either way you’ll be someone else by next month

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    Mute Virgil Van Rock
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    Mar 13th 2019, 8:29 AM

    @Limón Madrugada: Lemon seriously would you Kop on you imbecile

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    Mute Drew Walsh
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:09 PM

    100% spot on to not bring him. Legendary manager but think his time at the top is over the game has passed him by IMO. Be interesting to see him try and win a world cup with Portugal.

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:54 PM

    @Drew Walsh: Mourinho is a great manager for a tournament . But I think it’s not just a coincidence that why I try to type his name my spellcheck insists on correcting to ‘ mourning’

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    Mute Johnny O Flaherty
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:17 PM

    Would’ve been fun to see him there again

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    Mute Martin Brennan
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:05 PM

    Who’d want to manage a guy like Ramos who cost his own team by cheating

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:11 PM

    @Martin Brennan: you do mean Sergio Ramos who has 4CL , 3 or 4 ligas , two euros , 1 World Cup 3 world club championships a couple of Copa del Reys ?? Nah he’s a loser

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    Mute Getard Lanslanger
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:36 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: a drug cheating loser

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:49 PM

    @Getard Lanslanger: who happens to have loads of medals and no history of drugs , unlike for example Pep Guardiola …

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    Mute Stanley Baggins
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    Mar 13th 2019, 12:24 AM

    Jose won’t get a massive job like that again. A talented manager but one who’s ego outgrew the talent, and ended up becoming an insufferable bore

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