Andrew "Andy" D. Farrell OBE (born 30 May 1975 in Wigan) is a retired English professional rugby player. He played rugby league for Great Britain as a loose forward, and also captained the team before transferring to rugby union. Farrell was considered an on-the-field leader and a superb goal kicker. His primary position at rugby league was at loose forward or in the second row, although his skills and knowledge of the game meant he was able to fill in at other positions. For example, during the 2004 season, he filled in at prop after injuries to other key players.

His best position in rugby union was always flexible, but after starting his rugby union career in the forwards he moved to the backs: it is unusual for a cross-code convert to be considered in both roles but Farrell was considered strong enough to play in the forwards and skilful enough to play in the backs. On 28 September 2007, he scored his first try for England in rugby union against Tonga in the World Cup pool match.

[edit] Rugby League

Farrell made his first team debut for his home town club Wigan at the age of 16, against Keighley and became a full International by 18. He made his debut against New Zealand in 1993 and became captain of his country at 21, leading Great Britain on a tour of New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji in 1996. Farrell has made 34 appearances for Great Britain and also represented England in two World Cups. In 1993, he became the youngest winner of the Challenge Cup, when he came on as a substitute aged 17 years 11 months. In 1994, he was named the youngest ever player of the year. Farrell won 5 Championships and 4 Challenge Cups with Wigan, picking up the 1998 Super League and 2002 Challenge Cup as captain.

He is only the second player to score more than 3,000 points in all competitions at Wigan. He celebrated his Testimonial match in 2002, and won the Golden Boot as the best player in the world in 2004, the Man of Steel Award twice, and the Players Player Award.

Farrell was inducted into the Order of the British Empire for services to the game in the New Year's list of 2004.

As of September 2008, With 33 goals, Andy is 2nd in the list of England's all-time Goal Scorers (behind George Fairbairn), with 99 points he is 2nd in the list of England's all-time Point Scorers (behind George Fairbairn).

[edit] Switch to Rugby Union

On 24 March 2005, Farrell announced his retirement from rugby league to take on a new challenge with Saracens and the Rugby Football Union. A series of injuries and accidents(including a car crash) meant that his debut in the 15-man code was delayed until 2006.

Despite his achievements in rugby league, questions have been asked regarding his ability to change to a different sport at a relatively old age along with doubts about how much surgery he needs on his knees. There has also been some criticism of the sum England head coach Andy Robinson was willing to pay for such a perceived risk, and whether such a substantial amount of RFU money could not be better spent elsewhere.

He finally made a try scoring debut, for Saracens reserves, on 11 September 2006.^[1] He then made his first team debut against Newcastle Falcons on 17 September 2006 as a replacement. On both occasions, he played as blind-side flanker. A row then broke out about his best position: the England management suggested he should be playing in the centre whilst Saracens continued to play him as a flanker.^[2] However, he went on to play primarily at centre for the Saracens first team and again when selected to play for a World XV against South Africa.

He was selected as a part of the England Elite squad by new coach Brian Ashton, for the 2007 Six Nations. He was seen by some to be the main contender for the starting inside centre position, after England's problems in that position during the 2006 Autumn Internationals.

Farrell made his England debut at Twickenham after he was named at inside centre in the first Six Nations game against Scotland.

The 2007 World Cup saw Farrell playing in the unfamiliar position of fly-half against South Africa, in England's chastening group stage defeat. He was then brought on as a replacement against Tonga in his more usual position of inside centre, and brought greater solidity to the midfield defensively, capping his impressive contribution with his first England try. However, after being picked for the quarter-final decider against Australia, he had to withdraw with a calf injury.

In January 2008, Farrell was joined at Saracens by his 16-year-old son Owen Farrell, who signed a 3-year academy deal with the club.

In August 2008, Farrell was named co-captain for the 2008/09 season along with Steve Borthwick.

There have been strong links with Andy returning back to Rugby League to rejoin Wigan Warriors after it emerged that Saracens head coach Eddie Jones has become unhappy with the way the club's direction is heading. It's rumoured that Jones and Farrell could be moving up north with the Warriors becoming increasingly inpatient with out of favour Brian Noble especially after Warriors poor start the season.^[3]

In April 2009, Andy Farrell announced his retirement and said he was taking up a coaching role with Saracens at the end of the current season.

[edit] Record

Previous clubs: Orrell St. James

Super League record at Wigan Warriors 1996 - 2004

• Played - 368
• Tries - 77
• Goals - 1026
• Drop Goals - 16
• Points - 3135

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Andy Farrell Wigan Career Page on the CherryandWhite.co.uk Wigan RL Fansite.
• Saracens profile
• England Rugby Union profile
• 2001 Ashes profile
• International Rugby League Statistics at englandrl.co.uk
• Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org
• Frustration fuels Farrell return
• Commentry on Farrell's first International Union match
• Commentry on Farrell's first International Union match 2
• Farrell's record as captain of both England and Great Britain in Rugby League
• Andrew Farrell photo by sportingheroes.net
• Ashton resists temptation to clear decks