Andy Farrell: “It is Stuart’s gig. We back him to the hilt.”

England assistant coach Andy Farrell faced the media on Monday afternoon, after allegations emerged over the weekend that he had had final say in pushing through certain selections that the other coaches did not agree with.

Farrell staunchly refuted these allegations, insisting that he, Rowntree and Catt had ‘discussions’ about selection but that they never even crossed the boundary into ‘disagreements’.

“You might find it hard to believe but we agree on more things than we disagree with,” Farrell said. “It’s not even a disagreement because we are on the same page as one another. We have discussions.

“I can’t remember one incident where a coach would have been upset about something because we’re all united together. It’s Stuart’s gig. We back him to the hilt.”

Rumours emerged on social media on Sunday night that a certain high profile England player had let off steam at a private Q&A event, in which he claimed some of the squad were unhappy with selection.

“That player was in a selection meeting now?” questioned Farrell. “Four of us as coaches get together and have a selection meeting. You put your two pennies’ worth in and Stuart (Lancaster) makes the call and we all buy into that. It’s unanimous.”

The decision to select Sam Burgess in the World Cup squad ahead of Luther Burrell, who had played every minute of the Six Nations campaign that saw England score 18 tries, was allegedly a sore spot among pockets of the squad.

Farrell, however, insisted that Burgess was nothing but a positive influence on the World Cup squad, and refused to consider the possibility that his players might have had problems with the decision.

“I don’t believe our players would say that. Sam worked unbelievably hard and continued to work very hard to make his stamp and give his all for the team.

“It’s unfair all the comments coming out about him; obviously it’s a big story now. He’s put a tremendous amount of effort in, not just him showing what he’s about. He’s been selfless to the team in helping lead the boys and galvanising everyone together.”

Video credit: Rugby Media

Farrell went on to throw his full support behind Stuart Lancaster, whatever the future of the coaching group might be, claiming that their legacy will be leaving the England team in a much better place than it was four years ago when they took over.

“I think what Stuart has built here is more than those two defeats. Three and a half years under Stuart has been built on solid foundations. He has done marvellous things for this country and this rugby team. He is the hardest working Englishman that I have ever met.

“We have had some big wins and some losses on the way. But Stuart has an ability to put things in place and bring a meaning to the shirt. It has been a privilege to work for such a caring guy.”

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images