Farrell 'deserves higher praise'

By Dave Woods
BBC Sport

If you look at what he has achieved in the game, there's not much more he could do Jon Sharp hails Andy Farrell

Andy Farrell will celebrate 11 years as a Great Britain player on Saturday when he leads the Lions out against New Zealand in the Tri-Nations Series.

But Lions assistant boss Jon Sharp still believes the 29-year-old forward is under-valued by a country obsessed with football and rugby union.

"His profile has risen over the years but it would be through the roof if he was a footballer," said Sharp.

"Maybe if we win the Tri-Nations he will get the recognition he deserves."

Farrell made his international bow with a try-scoring appearance against the Kiwis at Headingley in 1993 and has gone on to win virtually every honour.

He is in the all-time top 10 list of Great Britain appearance-makers, with 30 caps ahead of Saturday's game in Huddersfield.

And the Wigan star will wear the skipper's armband for a record-extending 26th time.

"If you look at what he has achieved in the game, there's not much more he could do," added Sharp.

"He is an extraordinary character, a very smart player and a huge influence on the younger players."