Brown backs Farrell as leader for Bok Tests

Durban - Fullback Mike Brown believes Owen Farrell is the right man to captain England in their three-Test series against South Africa.

Farrell was promoted to the position by head coach Eddie Jones after an injury to regular captain Dylan Hartley.

“Owen is a great leader, he energises the group with the way he trains, his physicality and the standards he sets,” Brown told England Rugby’s official website from their training base in Durban.

“I’ve played alongside him a number of years and seen how he has progressed as a player and as a person. I can feed off someone like that; he never takes a backward step, always leads from the front and for me that is a sign of a great leader.”

Farrell led England during their Six Nations clash against France in Paris three months ago, and the transition in role from then until now has been made to look seamless.

“One thing we’ve all noticed is his assuredness and a different way of going about things,” said England defence coach Paul Gustard.

“On the field we know how he leads the team with his energy and his quality of play, but off the field we’ve also seen this control socially with the group and he’s put his own stamp on things. I think we’ve all been super impressed with how Owen’s adapted to the captaincy.”

Saturday’s first Test in Johannesburg is scheduled for 17:05.

Jones will name his team on Thursday.