Farrell future in Wembley focus

Published: Friday, 30. March, 2012 in category Saracens
Andy Farrell: Name on everybody's lips

Sarries and Quins have been the top two for most of this season.

Saracens coach Farrell was loaned to England for the recent Six Nations campaign, working alongside newly-appointed red rose boss Stuart Lancaster, who was interim charge during that tournament, and forwards guru Graham Rowntree.

"The RFU asked if they could loan Andy Farrell for the Six Nations, which we did in the national interest," Saracens chief executive Ed Griffiths told BBC Radio Five Live today.

"They made it very clear that it was just for the Six Nations. He is contracted to us for another two years and he is a massive part of what we're planning here as a club, and that's really the situation.

"We will doubtless talk to the RFU shortly and hear what they have got to say, but from a Saracens perspective Andy is a big part of our club and a big part of our future."

Saracens, meanwhile, have lost just one of their seven previous games played at Wembley, while they can also claim five successive victories over Quins, whose last away triumph was against Exeter on New Year's Eve.

Saracens tackle the league leaders at Wembley bolstered by England trio Owen Farrell, David Strettle and Mouritz Botha all returning following this season's Six Nations Championship. Injuries, though, sideline hooker John Smit (shoulder) and flanker Andy Saull (knee).

England captain Chris Robshaw returns to skipper Quins, but hooker Joe Gray has been ruled out by injury and is replaced by England Under-20 international Rob Buchanan. Quins are unchanged behind the scrum.