Ireland captain Johnny Sexton full of praise for Farrells’ rivalry approach

The Farrells will be in opposite camps on Sunday when Ireland travel to Twickenham for a titanic Guinness Six Nations clash with England.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will hope to see his team clinch the Triple Crown in London to remain on course for a Grand Slam, while England skipper Owen Farrell is bidding to help keep alive his side’s title challenge.

Fly-half Sexton has previously seen the pair working together on tour with the British and Irish Lions and fully anticipates a business-like approach from both.

“On Lions tours when they’ve been together as father and son, you’d never have guessed it,” said Sexton.

“They’re very close but when they’re in a professional environment on the same team it’s just like a player with any coach.

“I admired that about them and it’s the same when they’re opposing.

“They’re very professional and it’s just like playing against any other team really.”

Coach Farrell has previously faced Saracens fly-half Farrell as part of Ireland’s management team but this weekend will be doing so for the first time since replacing Joe Schmidt in the main role.

The younger Farrell will once again play at inside-centre for his country and will be joined in the midfield by the returning Manu Tuilagi, one of four personnel changes made by Eddie Jones.

Asked if 44-year-old Farrell had been able to outline any flaws in his son’s game, Sexton replied: “He doesn’t have too many weaknesses really.

“If he was c**p that could be a different story and he could be telling us all his weaknesses.

“But he’s a world-class player, so it’s more his strengths that we’ve looked at.

“We’ve all played against him numerous times and we know the type of player he is and how good he is, so we’re just preparing for his strengths really.”