Owen Farrell praises Johnny Sexton in revealing interview ahead of Six Nations

Farrell is back in the role of captain

The 2023 Six Nations gets underway this weekend, and ahead of his side's championship opener, England captain Owen Farrell was as open with the media as he has ever been Farrell lost out on the England captaincy during the end-game of Eddie Jones' England tenure but he is back in-situ under new head coach Steve Borthwick. On Saturday, England get their 2023 campaign underway at Twickenham against old rivals Scotland as they go in search of their first Six Nations title since 2020. As part of the Six Nations launch in London last week, Owen Farrell sat down with Sunday newspaper journalists and spoke about leaders he has learned from and his relationship with his father, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. Farrell also recalled the moment his eldest son crossed his path in an Ireland rugby jersey. "I asked him why he has got one," said Farrell. "He said, 'It's grandad [Andy's] team'. "I said, 'Well, you can wear a suit like grandad does, then, not the kit!' "They’re into anything and my dad also got them a Man City top which I’m not happy about as well. They’re also obsessed with Batman and Spiderman at the minute and were dressed up as them last week. Someone sent us a picture and said they looked like Del Boy and Rodney [from Only Fools and Horses]." https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnw2_7lBCMO/ Farrell is now 31 and in his 11th season as a Test rugby player. He has the captaincy back, now that Courtney Lawes has been ruled out. Asked by the Sunday reporters what to expect from him as a leader of this England team, he highlighted Sam Warburton and Johnny Sexton as two captains he has taken from to add to his own game. "Over the course of my career I’ve learned from some of the best," he said. "Whether that be on Lions tours – that third Test in New Zealand and seeing the way Sam Warburton was and seeing the way Johnny [Sexton] drives everything on the training field and demands from people. I can name a lot more. "It’s about doing the right thing at the right time and drawing from that experience, whilst also trying to be yourself. Do I ever get nervous? It’s more nervous energy, excitement." Related articles:

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