Six Nations - Jenkins: Farrell is new Wilkinson
Former Wales and Lions fly-half Neil Jenkins has paid England centre and goalkicker Owen Farrell a huge compliment ahead of next week's Six Nations clash at Twickenham.
Farrell's ice-cool temperament served England well during their recent away victories over Scotland and Italy, with the quality of his performances not lost on Jenkins.
"Owen is obviously an outstanding talent, and he has got a good coach there with his father Andy. He reminds me a lot of a young Jonny Wilkinson," said Jenkins, who is now Wales assistant coach.
"When Jonny first stepped up at international level, he was a centre, as Owen is at this moment in time. Maybe in the long run, Owen might end up being a 10, so there are a lot of similarities. He is a very good goalkicker and a very good player."
Victory for Wales over England on Sunday week - only their second at Twickenham since 1988 - would not only secure a 20th championship Triple Crown, but also leave them two more wins away from landing a second Six Nations title and Grand Slam of head coach Warren Gatland's four-year reign.
And Wales are optimistic their bid for Triple Crown glory will not be hampered by injuries to key players.
Gatland's squad will reconvene at their training base on Monday after more than a dozen players were released for club duties this weekend.
That list includes France-based trio Mike Phillips, James Hook and Lee Byrne, Aviva Premiership contingent Rhys Gill, Andy Powell and Craig Mitchell, plus a number who will be involved in RaboDirect PRO12 action.
So while Gatland must hope that sizeable group all emerge unscathed, he will also keep a close on eye on the likes of George North (ankle), Huw Bennett (calf), Ryan Jones (dead leg) and skipper Sam Warburton (thigh).
Jenkins added: "There are a few battered and bruised bodies, still, but we are hoping everyone is going to be up and running by next week. They've got the weekend off, and we will see where we are on Monday and Tuesday."
Comment 10 - 29 of 29
Neil, need to look at the welsh kicking problem first, not much to be optomistic about there, and your kickers got you laughed out of the RWC so plaese don't jinx our guys.
England different class, level and ability from birth, no comment required, but a bottle of water would be nice.
terry the inbred turd talks a load of shyte.pmsl
Neil Jenkins go fetch the water bottles son, leave the analysis to those who's opinions are worth a @#$%, Jenkins your welsh, get down on your knees when you mention the legend that is Jonny Wilkinson. you are definately not worthy.
Wales have a history of stuttering the careers of Englands bright young things. Look what happened to Matt Tait. Owen has the monster Roberts crashing into him. If England move a back row to protect that channel holes will open up everywhere else. This pack is not good enough to do what Worsley was allowed to do to Roberts a few seasons back.
matthew robinson, if you talk a little rugby no one will vote you down .
no harm in a few mind games ahead of the real thing. Big him up before he gets flattened, literally!
come on!
So all the warriors tucked up in bed now, 37 is a bit old to get into bed with mum and dad to my mind.
HOWARD you didn't sound that much different to me but have I been remiss and mistaken you for Mr T or are you just having a laugh with another persona? What you say does sound at least meant so I will go with that I am mistaken, in which case I apologise and we could meet in the Robin Hood down Shacklewell lane soon as you like, though 100mph for a punch is very slow.
MATTHEW ROBINSON, you are very brave behind your laptop aren't you. Just pay me a visit in Hackney and lets see you shout your big mouth off here, you coward. At no time have I attacxked your comments and please don't confuse me with that Welsh turd Howard T.
At the moment you are an embarrasment to the rest of us genuine English rugby fans.
TERRY I suspect it's you voting me down whatever I write but I've noticed how you seem to go to bed very early, so I'll post after your bedtime and see how that goes on.
V, they dont play France for a few weeks so he'l have time to settle in.
Vendy baby thing is, both those teams were going to stuff England many on here said, you're much better at predicting the result afterwards!
Against two fairly weak or poorly organised teams he may have had a couple of reasonable games - let's see how he and the rest of them get on against teams with a bit of fire and a lot of organization.
Good game in the offing on saturday all you Rugby lovers. I've had a few bob on Farrell to be top scorer and man of the match, for what is about to happen may the Welsh truly forgive us.
Pink Pig, Wilkinson definitely the best kicker of a generation, possibly the greatest consistent kicker of the ball ever, but best fly half of a generation - unfortunatley not since he was severly limited as a fly half, although maybe some of the reason for that was poor back divisions he has been lumbered with all these years with England.
The headline is very mis-leading, if you read the whole story he compares Farrell to Wilkinson when he first started out, he isn't comparing him to the best fly half of a generation.
I think thats a bit over the top to say young farrel is as good as J W, I have never seen a number 10 who could tackle like JW , ok young farrel got a couple of kicks over, but C'mon give the guy a chance to settle in.
Its just Welsh mind games Before the a match next week.Its all to put pressure on a young England player they might have a problem with. They have not seen enough of Farrel to compare him with Wilkingson. Neither have we.
He's right Jenkins is a legend of Welsh rugby, wasn't the best all round fly half but his kicking was fantastic, probably 2nd to none in his era.
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