'It is just jealousy, pure jealousy' - TNT Sports experts defend England and Saracens captain Owen Farrell

England captain Owen Farrell has returned to action in the Gallagher Premiership Rugby as if he had never been away.

He has helped Saracens to reel off three dominant wins against Leicester, Newcastle, and Harlequins as Sarries have marched up the table. Farrell's team had won just one match in his absence but appear reborn since the end of the tournament in France.

Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio was effusive in his praise for Farrell during TNT Sports' coverage of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby weekend.

He said: "I thought he was superb yesterday. We are seeing a different side to Owen Farrell. He's coming out and doing interviews...That's what you do as England captain. He's a smashing kid, and more importantly, he's an incredible rugby player."

Stuart Hogg was teed up with the question - should Farrell be England's No. 10 and left no room for interpretation in his response. He simply said: "100%"

Hogg wasn't done, and continued: "To me, Owen Farrell is an out and out 10. He's a leader, a born winner. That's what he's all about. Nothing flash about his game. He gets all this stick and it's just jealousy, pure jealousy."

The TNT Sports pundit underlined his point with a final comment. He said: "His record speaks volumes. There's absolutely no need for the amount of stick he gets."

During the coverage of the World Cup in France last month, Farrell was the subject of more than his share of critical punditry. ITV's Ben Key said: "Someone needs to grab hold of him. He's not helping his team here at all."

Rugby reporter Peter Jackson added a similar sentiment: "Why does Owen Farrell persist in arguing with the referee?"

With the tournament still ongoing, England attacking coach Richard Wigglesworth felt compelled to defend Farrell in the press.

Speaking to reporters after England's win over Fiji, Wigglesworth said: "He definitely doesn't have to prove anything. We are lucky to have Owen. As ever, the tallest trees catch the most wind and he seems to catch a fair bit."

Farrell's role as England skipper will inevitably attract flak, but he now seems to have at least as many supporters as critics.

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