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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What would Calderon know ? . He said Zidane had rejected the offer last week ! Absolute chancer !
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.
@Virgil Van Rock: yawn … see you May 2020 ya mouth !
@Limón Madrugada: Watch out for the parasite Limon
@Limón Madrugada: surely you can get a room before then
@David Weston: surely you’ll find a better one liner by then
@Limón Madrugada: for you pair ?Nah that one is about right
@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 ??
@Virgil Van Rock: no ones denying Ronaldos effect . But your clinging to Courtois’ love life is tenuous . Maybe Liverpool should sign Ronaldo ..
@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
@Limón Madrugada: Lemon seriously would you Kop on you imbecile
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.
@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’
Would’ve been fun to see him there again
Who’d want to manage a guy like Ramos who cost his own team by cheating
@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
@Limón Madrugada: a drug cheating loser
@Getard Lanslanger: who happens to have loads of medals and no history of drugs , unlike for example Pep Guardiola …
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