sport news Owen Farrell urges England to play without fear as they seek to bounce back ... trends now
Owen Farrell has declared that England are aiming for a liberation against Japan on Saturday — by trying to stop worrying and over-thinking, and playing instinctively again.
Eddie Jones named a starting XV featuring five changes, following last Sunday’s shock defeat by Argentina in the autumn opener. England have been revamped to add pace — notably with the inclusion of Jonny May, Sam Simmonds and Jack van Poortvliet — but there is a realisation that the primary improvement must be a mental one.
Losing to the Pumas has made England’s camp acknowledge the urgent need to clear cluttered minds. As he prepared for a 99th appearance for his country, captain Farrell admitted that it is time to shed a sense of collective anxiety and tension. Being uptight is not helping.
Owen Farrell has declared that England are aiming for a liberation against Japan
‘We don’t want to over-think, which maybe we were guilty of a bit last weekend,’ said the Saracens playmaker, who will continue his 10-12 partnership with Marcus Smith, unperturbed by external doubts about their alliance.
‘We want to free ourselves up. We have spoken about that this week and we will try and build that up going into Saturday.
‘It is about letting go that bit more. Not worrying about everything — trying to be free but in control of the next moment. If we do that, it will leave us in a good place and give off to the crowd and they will get behind us.
‘If we can get a bit more of that mindset and not worry too much about maybe making a mistake… I don’t know, I’m not in everybody’s head, but then we can attack that moment a bit more.’
England coach Eddie Jones has made five changes to his squad ahead of Test against Japan
England’s attacking ambitions will be enhanced by the recall of May, who has completed an astonishing recovery after dislocating his elbow while playing for Gloucester against London Irish three weeks ago.
Farrell admitted that he was taken aback to discover that the wing had been fast-tracked back into the squad last week. Like everyone else, he assumed that May would not take part in this November campaign.
‘I didn’t go to Jersey (training camp) so I didn’t really know there was a chance,’ said the skipper. ‘When I came
