Farrell claims injury scare just 'cramp'

Captain Owen Farrell gave England an injury scare ahead of their three-test series in South Africa when he limped out of Saracens 27-10 Aviva Premiership play off final win over Exeter at a sweltering Twickenham today.

Farrell left the contest after 66 minutes suffering what appeared to be a calf injury and was unable to kick for touch. Centre Alex Lozowski was preparing to kick to touch when the call came to get Farrell off the pitch. In March , Farrell was an injury worry for England with a lower leg problem leading into the Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield having suffered a grade one quadriceps injury on the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand last summer.

Farrell played down his leg problem helping his team win a fourth Premiership title and insisted it was cramp that forced him off. He said: “I had some cramp and we will celebrate this win and enjoy tonight and maybe tomorrow as well. We then meet up for an exciting challenge (in South Africa).

“It was a war of attrition and I am just chuffed for all the lads because we have had some tough times and we have come out and done it. We have been able to honest with ourselves and learn from things and have days like today which are brilliant.”

Farrell has been given the England captaincy by head coach Eddie Jones after Dylan Hartley was ruled out of the trip to South Africa by recurring concussion problems and the Saracens No10 is seen as the natural successor to the Northampton hooker, possibly before next year’s World Cup in Japan.

The Sarries No10 was able to join his teammates on the victory rostrum to celebrate another English title and for the lap of honour to the delight of the North London club’s fans in the 75,128 crowd.

While there is concern over Farrell, Jones will have been delighted with the form of key England forwards Billy Vunipola, Jamie George, Maro Itoje and Mako Vunipola, the Man of the Match after a thundering performance. Billy Vunipola lasted for 58 mintues to prove that his hamstring injury is not going to be a factor leading into the tour and the manner of his ball carrying proved the No8 was full of confidence – just like his older brother.

The impact the Vunipola brothers made was clearly seen in the match statistics which showed Billy carried the ball a team high 17 times with Mako managing 15. Mako also made 18 tackles with George Kruis, who now undergoes ankle surgery, topping the table with a match high 22.

Wallaby coach Michael Cheika will have noted the contribution of giant lock Will Skelton who has just returned from yet another injury lay off. The Wallaby forward, who could be recalled for the World Cup, proved too big and powerful for the Exeter defence and constantly hammered is way over the gain line in the final quarter.