Why Ben Earl reckons Andy Farrell is ‘amazing’ and the ‘eye-opening’ Lions lesson he now wants England to adopt
Ben Earl on the charge for the Lions last Saturday in Sydney
Ben Earl has spoken about Andy Farrell’s inspiring impression on him and revealed the British and Irish Lions traits he now wants to bring into the England set-up.
The Saracens back-rower featured off the bench in two of the Lions’ three matches against the Wallabies, including last Saturday’s tour finale in Sydney.
It was a series-ending match that didn’t go the way of the Lions as Australia won 22-12 on a rainy night, but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm Earl has for head coach Farrell following a trip where the Test series victory was clinched with a match to spare.
“He has made me fully believe in how good I am,” said Earl about Farrell, who led the Lions while on a sabbatical from his Ireland job. “Every time he talks to the group, I’m like, ‘I’ll do anything for that man – I’m ready to play.’
“Ready to play for this bloke…”
“Every time he spoke to the group, I’m like, God, when the time comes, I’m ready to play for this bloke. I didn’t really know fully his story. It’s so cool. He has just got an unbelievable story, and what an amazing coach. I have learnt so much off him. I have learnt so much off everyone.
“It has been a life-changing experience, the highlight of my life, certainly my rugby-playing life. I have made friends for life, memories for life. It showed me something completely different in terms of the rugby side of things. I have loved it. It has been completely transformative for me and I’m a far better player because of it.”
What lesson stood out most to Earl? “Get out of your own way and just play rugby,” suggested the 27-year-old, who was first capped by England in 2020. “It’s almost like you get to the pinnacle of our sport, this is what it is, and you are back playing under-12s on a Sunday morning.
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“That is honestly how it feels; there is no preparation. You just go out, you have a plan, you try to implement it, you express yourself in a way that Andy and the rest of the coaching staff have allowed us to do, and I have loved every minute of it.
“I have probably got more trust in what I have done rather than second-guessing myself. Honestly, some of the best players in the world are in that changing room, and some of them are the most relaxed people I have ever seen about preparation, training.
“It’s eye-opening and I have loved it, it’s been great. I have spoken to fellow Englishmen about that. There is some cool stuff that we can bring back to camp, and that is sort of the whole point, isn’t it?
“I’m almost excited to get going again. I need my time off, but I’m almost excited to get back into certain environments to be like, ‘Well, actually, have you thought about this?’”
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