Scotland legend puts rivalry aside for ‘best there’s been’ Owen Farrell and George Ford
George Ford and Owen Farrell during a Rugby World Cup group match.
Former Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg has heaped praise on England fly-half duo Owen Farrell and George Ford.
The now-retired back believes that they are two of the greatest playmakers the sport has ever seen having played against them both for club and country.
Although the idea of extolling the virtues of Englishmen and women is not often in the Scottish psyche, Hogg put that rivalry aside to explain why the two are so good.
Recent clash
Farrell and Ford faced each other last week, but it was the latter who came out on top as Sale Sharks claimed a 22-20 triumph over Saracens in the Premiership.
Ordinarily, they would be England team-mates during the 2024 Six Nations, but the Sarries man has decided to take a break from Test rugby to focus on his and his family’s mental health.
The 32-year-old was Steve Borthwick’s preferred option during the latter stages of the Rugby World Cup, but it looks likely that Ford will take that shirt when the tournament begins in February.
“I think you’ve got two of the best 10s there has ever been in the game,” Scotland centurion Hogg said on TNT Sports. “They are two unbelievable talents in their own right.
“They are proper game drivers for their side; everything good around Sale happens around George Ford, and on the flip side everything good around Saracens happens around Owen Farrell.
“[They are] two guys who have a massive influence in everything that happens in their side.”
Improvement
Hogg also believes that the duo have consistently improved their games over the years to become much better players.
Farrell and Ford made an immediate impact on the game as teenagers, and were regular starters for Saracens and Leicester Tigers respectively.
That showed their vast talent but, according to the ex-Scotland full-back, they have not rested on their laurels and have developed into complete fly-halves.
“I think both of these guys have added different elements to their game over the last couple of years. More running threats, their distribution skills are unbelievable,” he added.
“I reckon we’ve got two of the best passers of a rugby ball I’ve ever seen, and I don’t say that lightly. These guys are just incredible.”
