Farrell v Wilkinson: Ben Kay's verdict on the HQ kicking machines

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Owen Farrell                                                                                       Jonny Wilkinson

6ft 2in

15st 2lb

16

154pts

Saracens, 18

206pts

71 out of 93 (76%)

Height

Weight

England caps

England points

Games this season

Points this season

Successful kicks this season

5ft 10in

14st

91

1,179 pts

Toulon, 27

412pts

145 out of 186 (78%)

Mental strength

Both players are very driven. Fear of failure fires Wilkinson. This has made him train harder than anyone else and has helped to make him the tough competitor he is. Farrell, in a non-arrogant way, wants to be the best he can and to win. He does not have the same fear of failure and that has made him slightly more adventurous.

Farrell 8 Wilkinson 9

Kicking

Wilkinson has worked hard on his place kicking and has a very structured method in blocking out all other distractions. Farrell is slightly more relaxed; his attitude is 'I will just knock over this kick'. He is unlikely to do the same amount of practice. Farrell has a slightly better kicking game around the park while Wilkinson can make longer distances through his punts to touch.

Farrell 9 Wilkinson 8

Distribution

Wilkinson has been helped at Toulon by ex-Wallaby Matt Giteau's presence outside him at inside centre. Giteau takes pressure off him as a decision maker and makes him move the ball quicker. Farrell is improving as a distributor and showed in some of his attacking play in the Six Nations that he can make instant decisions.

Farrell 7 Wilkinson 7

Defence

Both have the same attitude of wanting to put in the hardest tackle they can. But Wilkinson is still the hardest-tackling No 10 in world rugby and his timing is superb, the best I've ever seen from any player. Farrell is more of a brawler who goes out to knock down his opponent as quickly as possible.

Farrell 8 Wilkinson 10

Vision

It's not Wilkinson's greatest strength, though he is helped by having Giteau alongside him. Farrell showed in the Six Nations he can change tack very quickly. He inspired one of England's best attacks against Wales by throwing an off-the-cuff floated pass to open up the opposition.

Farrell 7 Wilkinson 6

Total: Farrell 39 Wilkinson 40

 

But it's not just about those two

Full-back: Alex Goode v Delon Armitage

Goode's all-round game is why he's England's full-back. France has been good for Armitage because he's been more consistent. But Goode (below) has the edge

Prop: Mako Vunipola v Carl Hayman

Hayman's greater strength and height in the scrum and tight should give him the advantage. Mako will make his mobility tell in the loose.

Lock: Steve Borthwick v Bakkies Botha

This should be feisty. Borthwick will not want to give Botha an inch. Borthwick's line-out agility and tactical analysis could give him the edge.

  More... Chris Foy: Jonny, hero of HQ, is set for one last hurrah with Toulon... Lynagh: O'Connell should lead the Lions... but I expect Gatland to opt for Warburton