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The father and son snap that was the talk of the Six Nations launch in London
By Ian Cameron
Rugby union is a game littered with father and son duos.
Bill and Josh Beaumont; Bryan and Cameron Redpath; Bill and Tevita Cavabuti; and Johan and Ruan Ackermann all spring to mind.
The most iconic of current father and son double acts, of course, is Andy and Owen Farrell. The latter is the incumbent England captain, the former takes up the reins as the head of coach of Ireland.
At the Guinness Six Nations launch in London the pair were doing the rounds for their respective camps, but of course their paths crossed and it made for a number wonderfully awkward father and son moments.
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WATCH: Head coach Eddie Jones and captain Owen Farrell hold a press conference in London ahead of the start of the Six Nations tournament.
One of those fleeting moments was captured on camera, and it really does paint a thousand words.
Farrell Snr was walking off stage during promotional photographs of the coaches, as Owen is lining up for his captain's photocall.
'Papa Faz' - as he was known on the British and Irish Lions tour in 2017 - reaches out a hand to his son. 'Baby Faz' looks on with his arms folded, and there's something of a teenage-like deportment to the usually assured flyhalf.
Alun Wyn Jones and Jonny Sexton look on in the background. It's a terrific snapshot by photographer Ramsey Cardy for Sportsfile.
“I spoke to him,” confirmed Farrell Snr when asked late in the schedule whether he had managed to catch up with his Farrell Jnr. “I have just had a protein bowl with him and a coffee in the green room out the back.”
Later, while reflecting on his son's current conundrum at Saracens, the 44-year-old admitted that he had something of a personal insight. Owen is among several star players facing uncertain futures at the club following its relegation from the Premiership.
"I have not got an opinion because you understand as a parent it is sensitive anyway.
"There is a lot of questions still to be asked and answered you know so, I don’t think they have got all the facts together yet of what that future looks like. I am sure that will come out in the not too distant future. I suppose I will have an opinion then."
They may be in opposing camps, but they always have each other's backs.
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That is a matter of players style of play. Will Jordan's strength is his running . He has been absolutely deadly for the the Crusaders in that position. Especially in years 2021-23. Foster subsequently then Razor put him on the wing. Scored heaps of tries, but as he showed in one test against Australia this year , he scored a try running from the back, that was amazing. That was after Robertson finally put him at 15 because Beauden was injured. Thankfully there Will remained. Speaking of Beauden and kicking. He kicks too much, waywardly as well. Handing the ball back to the opposition. He is an impact player at best.
Go to commentsYet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
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