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| In 2004, he won both the 'Man of Steel' award as well as the ] for the international player of the year, this award rarely leaves ]. | In 2004, he won both the 'Man of Steel' award as well as the ] for the international player of the year, this award rarely leaves ]. | ||
| In 2005, Farrell was awarded the ] for services to the game in the New Years honours list. In March ], he changed codes, signing for ] to play rugby union with the stated aim of playing for England in the ] ]. There are different opinions on whether he should play as an outside centre or a back row forward. His arrival in Union has been greeted by sceptism, by many who doubt, whilst not questioning his League history, his ability to grasp the more technical aspects of Union, and to find a permamnent position, with legendary back-rower Richard Hill in the Saracens set up. | In 2005, Farrell was awarded the ] for services to the game in the New Years honours list. In March ], he changed codes, signing for ] to play rugby union with the stated aim of playing for England in the ] ]. There are different opinions on whether he should play as an outside centre or a back row forward. His arrival in Union has been greeted by sceptism, by many who doubt, whilst not questioning his League history, his ability to grasp the more technical aspects of Union, and to find a permamnent position, with legendary back-rower Richard Hill in the Saracens set up. | ||
| Despite all his achievements there are question marks over his ability to change to a different sport at a relatively ripe age plus doubts about how much surgery he needs on his knees. Eyebrows have also been raised by 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 couldn't be better spent elsewhere. | Despite all his achievements there are question marks over his ability to change to a different sport at a relatively ripe age plus doubts about how much surgery he needs on his knees. Eyebrows have also been raised by 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 couldn't be better spent elsewhere. | ||
Revision as of 16:03, 26 August 2005
Andy Farrell, also known as 'Faz', is an English rugby league and rugby union player. He was born in Wigan in 1975. He joined the Wigan Warriors in 1991 and made his debut at 16 against Keighley. He was a second row, in his final year of rugby league he filled in as a prop with injuries to other key players.
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 youngest player of the year.
He became a full international at 18 making his debut against New Zealand in 1993. He went on to make 34 appearances for GB and also represented England in two World Cups.
He became Wigan and Great Britain captain in 1996 when he was just 21. He was the youngest ever Great Britain captain. He was also named 'Man of Steel' in the same year.
In 1998, Farrell led Wigan to victory in the first ever Grand Final. In 2001, he set a Wigan record of 429 points in a season and a Super League record of 388.
In 2004, he won both the 'Man of Steel' award as well as the Golden Boot for the international player of the year, this award rarely leaves Australia.
In 2005, Farrell was awarded the OBE for services to the game in the New Years honours list. In March 2005, he changed codes, signing for Saracens (rugby club) to play rugby union with the stated aim of playing for England in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. There are different opinions on whether he should play as an outside centre or a back row forward. His arrival in Union has been greeted by sceptism, by many who doubt, whilst not questioning his League history, his ability to grasp the more technical aspects of Union, and to find a permamnent position, with legendary back-rower Richard Hill in the Saracens set up. Despite all his achievements there are question marks over his ability to change to a different sport at a relatively ripe age plus doubts about how much surgery he needs on his knees. Eyebrows have also been raised by 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 couldn't be better spent elsewhere.
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