Farrell stays focused on his World Cup dream

Aug 17 2007 by Ian Laybourn, Liverpool Daily Post

THE WORLD CUP has always held a prominent place on Andy Farrell’s list of rugby union objectives – but there were times when he considered it might be mission improbable.

Farrell will line up in England’s final World Cup warm-up game tomorrow against tournament hosts France.

The Marseille mission is England’s last competitive outing before they begin serious business by kicking off their Webb Ellis Trophy defence on September 8.

England have never won at Stade Velodrome – they are in good company, because neither have New Zealand, South Africa or Australia – and it will be another huge learning experience for Farrell – still a relative newcomer to union.

But even to get this far, the 32-year-old former Great Britain and Wigan rugby league captain has overcome significant odds.

Despite signing for Saracens in a financially lucrative switch of codes more than two years ago, injuries meant Farrell did not make his 15-a-side debut until last September.

A well-chronicled toe injury was followed by him suffering a prolapsed disc in his back after a car accident, suggesting the 2007 World Cup could prove off limits.

He said: "The World Cup was hard to think of some times, but I never gave up hope.

"Once I was fit and able, it was always a goal of mine to try and achieve.

"Yes, there were times I would think it was getting out of my hands, but thankfully I am now fit and things are moving in the right direction.

"The good thing for me is that I am back playing again and enjoying myself, and I am excited about that."

Farrell made England head coach Brian Ashton’s 30-man World Cup squad despite just four Test match appearances.

His critics – former England centres Will Carling and Jeremy Guscott feature prominently among them – claim Farrell is too slow to make a significant impact at Test level.

Guscott took another swipe this week, believing Farrell was "very fortunate" to have pinned down a midfield place in Ashton’s elite group.

Farrell though, is content to give the whole debate a body swerve Guscott would have been proud of, and concentrate on what he can control.

He added: "The focus over the next couple of weeks, without doubt, is to try and get this team to reach a peak.

"It is about things like team spirit, team building and making us like a family.

"There is a lot of work to be done, so I don’t think it is the time to reflect on being selected.

"I wasn’t sure I would make it, but I have been quite pleased with the work I’ve done over the last seven weeks and I hoped that would put me in good stead.

"Training at the top level with class players, you pick things up from each other every day. I am enjoying every session, getting out there and doing something different.

"It is a big game for us on Saturday, a big Test match. France don’t tend to do too badly in Marseille, but the main focus is to get England to perform in the World Cup.

"I am under no illusions that going to Marseille is going to be very tough, and I think it is all about a team performance.

"We need to push forward as a team now, ready for the World Cup."

Farrell and company though, headed to Marseille knowing England’s dreadful post-2003 World Cup away form hangs over them.

England have recorded a solitary success – against Italy in Rome – from their last 15 away games stretching back to March, 2004, coming unstuck in Paris (twice), Cardiff (twice), Dublin (twice), Edinburgh, Dunedin, Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Bloemfontein and Pretoria during that dismal period.

But England defence coach Mike Ford said: "We are going to Marseille with bags of confidence.

"For the first time in four years, we have been together for about seven or eight weeks, and the fact we have got the bonding going will help us massively.

"We have got a squad that is full of experience – big-game players who understand how to win games."