'I can't remember that person': England captain Owen Farrell insists his 'hothead' days are behind him England begin their bid for Six Nations glory with a trip to Ireland on Saturday Ex-Ireland player Peter Stringer advised his former side to wind up Owen Farrell But England captain Farrell has claimed that his 'hothead' days are behind himBy Chris Foy For Mailonline Published: 22:32 GMT, 1 February 2019 | Updated: 09:39 GMT, 2 February 2019 9 Viewcomments England captain Owen Farrell has declared that his 'hothead' days are behind him, after Ireland were urged to target the playmaker in Saturday's Guinness Six Nations opener in Dublin. Former Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer, who had a brief spell playing with Farrell at Saracens in 2011, suggested earlier this week that the Red Rose No 10 may be susceptible to wind-up tactics from the hosts at the Aviva Stadium. He claimed that the Irish players could 'get under his skin' and 'rattle him', but Farrell has dismissed the comments about his temperament as old news. Owen Farrell's England begin their bid for Six Nations glory with a trip to Ireland on Saturday Captain Farrell looked relaxed as he and his England team-mates trained in Dublin on Friday 'All I'm trying to do is be the best I can be,' he said. 'Everyone tries to get better, everyone tries to grow. I can't remember that person (the hothead) and I don't need to. I'm happy with how I am and the way things are going. 'I don't know how long ago it is I played with Strings; it seems like a long time ago. I don't know if he thinks I've not changed. He's entitled to his opinion. I'm competitive. I'll look to do my job on the field and that's all that matters.' Farrell's England team-mates have backed the skipper, who has worked hard to control his volatile streak in recent years, in line with his increased leadership duties. 'When he is captain, he improves,' said Maro Itoje. 'Everything he does improves. He speaks with more clarity. He plays better. His judgement improves. 'Almost all aspects of Owen improve when he is given that responsibility. Sometimes responsibility brings the best out of people.' Jonny May added: 'Owen always spoke before a game or in a huddle, or prepared us defensively. Whatever he is doing now, he was doing it before. Now he has just got that title. 'He was a leader before he was the captain. He's just being Owen and we're grateful to have such a great player who is a natural leader. He's just doing his thing.' Ex-Ireland player Peter Stringer, pictured in 2011, advised his former side to wind up Farrell But Farrell said his 'hothead' days are behind him and added: 'I can't remember that person' Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility