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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Saracens 'confused' over Farrell | Saracens 'confused' over Farrell |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Saracens have strongly defended their decision to play rugby league convert Andy Farrell at blind-side flanker. | Saracens have strongly defended their decision to play rugby league convert Andy Farrell at blind-side flanker. |
| When his move from league was announced England coach Andy Robinson said he could see Farrell in the back row. | When his move from league was announced England coach Andy Robinson said he could see Farrell in the back row. |
| But there are suggestions he was signed as an inside centre and that Robinson now wants him in the number 12 shirt. | But there are suggestions he was signed as an inside centre and that Robinson now wants him in the number 12 shirt. |
| Saracens said in a statement that the club is "confused as to the apparent turnaround in position of England head coach Andy Robinson". | Saracens said in a statement that the club is "confused as to the apparent turnaround in position of England head coach Andy Robinson". |
| Interview: Henry Paul on Farrell | Interview: Henry Paul on Farrell |
| The statement added: "After being in regular contact with Saracens' coaching staff, (Robinson) appears to have had a change of mind about the position best suited to Farrell." | The statement added: "After being in regular contact with Saracens' coaching staff, (Robinson) appears to have had a change of mind about the position best suited to Farrell." |
| I don't think you can play one position for Saracens and then have a chance in hell of playing international football in another Mike Ford,England defence coach | I don't think you can play one position for Saracens and then have a chance in hell of playing international football in another Mike Ford,England defence coach |
| Saracens claim Robinson was quoted last year as saying he had a picture of Farrell attacking off the back of a line-out and playing at number eight in a scrum going forward. | |
| Robinson was planning more talks on Thursday with Sarries' boss Alan Gaffney on how to accelerate Farrell's transformation into a top-flight union player. | Robinson was planning more talks on Thursday with Sarries' boss Alan Gaffney on how to accelerate Farrell's transformation into a top-flight union player. |
| Farrell has played just 85 minutes of first-team rugby union since joining Saracens after last season was wiped out by injury. | Farrell has played just 85 minutes of first-team rugby union since joining Saracens after last season was wiped out by injury. |
| "We need to give him time," Saracens chief executive Mark Sinderberry told the club's official website. | "We need to give him time," Saracens chief executive Mark Sinderberry told the club's official website. |
| "Let him learn about the game and ultimately he will find out the best position which suits him. | "Let him learn about the game and ultimately he will find out the best position which suits him. |
| "He did lose a year through injury, but he still needs that time and to make a judgment after just one-and-a-half games reeks of bad planning and is reactionary." | "He did lose a year through injury, but he still needs that time and to make a judgment after just one-and-a-half games reeks of bad planning and is reactionary." |
| Farrell, who was signed by Saracens with the help of the Rugby Football Union, has been training with England this week but was excused from the final day's training at Loughborough on Wednesday. | Farrell, who was signed by Saracens with the help of the Rugby Football Union, has been training with England this week but was excused from the final day's training at Loughborough on Wednesday. |
| "Andy will be on the replacement's bench against Cardiff Blues on Sunday as the process continues of allowing him to adapt to the game without the added pressure of being rushed into situations before he is ready," said Sinderberry. | "Andy will be on the replacement's bench against Cardiff Blues on Sunday as the process continues of allowing him to adapt to the game without the added pressure of being rushed into situations before he is ready," said Sinderberry. |
| "That is the correct way forward." | "That is the correct way forward." |
| Speaking to Five Live, England defence coach Mike Ford said it is imperative that Farrell plays in the same position for Saracens and England. | Speaking to Five Live, England defence coach Mike Ford said it is imperative that Farrell plays in the same position for Saracens and England. |
| "I don't think you can play one position for Saracens and then have a chance in hell of playing international football in another," said Ford. | "I don't think you can play one position for Saracens and then have a chance in hell of playing international football in another," said Ford. |
| "All we can do is sit down with Alan Gaffney and discuss, with Andy Farrell's attributes and skills, where do we think his best position is? | "All we can do is sit down with Alan Gaffney and discuss, with Andy Farrell's attributes and skills, where do we think his best position is? |
| "Hopefully, Alan Gaffney and the Saracens coaching staff will come to the same wavelength as us. | "Hopefully, Alan Gaffney and the Saracens coaching staff will come to the same wavelength as us. |
| "I've just got my fingers crossed that from this weekend he's going to be playing in the position that we all want him to play in." | "I've just got my fingers crossed that from this weekend he's going to be playing in the position that we all want him to play in." |