CLUB Saracens
POSITION Centre
Andy Farrell OBE has made considerable strides in rugby union since enduring an unlucky sequence of injuries after signing for Saracens in a joint deal with the RFU in March 2005. The former Great Britain rugby league player who won 34 caps, the first of which when he was 18, sustained a damaged toe in a training ground mishap and needed an operation on a prolapsed disc diagnosed after a car accident. It delayed his first union appearance until mid-September 2005 as a replacement in the Guinness Premiership match against Newcastle Falcons at Watford.
It contrasted with his dozen indestructible years with Wigan RLFC. He signed for them from local amateur club Orrell St James and made his senior debut when 16. He went on to win the prestigious Man of Steel award twice and, in 1998, led Wigan to victory in the inaugural Grand Final at Old Trafford. In 2000, he agreed a six-year contract with Wigan worth £1million and the following year set a club record of 429 points in a season and a Super League best in the same year of 388. He was famed for his cultured left boot when winning the reputation of being among rugby league’s most accurate goalkickers. Andy played his first representative match in the 15-a-side game for a World XV against a South African XV at the Walkers Stadium in Leicester last December and won the first of his three Test caps against Scotland in February.
Did you know?
Andy was one of rugby league’s most decorated players. He won the Challenge Cup and Super League and in 1996, he became the youngest captain of the Great Britain team at the age of 21 years four months. He had already been the youngest winner in a Challenge Cup final at 17 years 11 months and crowned a glittering rugby league career by being appointed OBE in 2005.
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