EDF Energy Cup - : Farrell set to make history against the Scarlets

Owen Farrell - set for his Saracens competitive debut

Farrell set to make history against the Scarlets

3 October 2008, 11:09 am

By Jonathan McConnell

Owen Farrell will become the youngest player in the history of the EDF Energy Cup and Guinness Premiership if he takes to the field against Llanelli Scarlets at Vicarage Road on Sunday, kick off 3pm.

Farrell has been named on the bench for the clash and as he will be 17 years and 11 days on Sunday, he will be the youngest to appear in either competition - beating Danny Cipriani by 36 days (17 years and 47 days) when he featured for Wasps at Bristol in the Powergen Cup in December 2004.

For Sunday's game, Director of Rugby Eddie Jones has demonstrated the strength in depth within his squad by making 14 changes to his starting line-up for the Scarlets clash - but has still selected a side that boasts just under 1,000 appearances for Saracens and over 100 test caps.

The 17-year-old Farrell, who featured in Saracens pre-season matches against Western Force and Toulon, is also one of six players in the 22 who could make their first team debuts for the club on Sunday.

Set to break the all time record for rugby, Owen is slightly older than his Dad who made his rugby league debut aged 16 and was Great Britain's youngest ever captain aged 21 years and four months - so he's still got some way to go.

"There's quite a bit of excitement in the Farrell household at the moment," explained proud father Andy Farrell who is set to return next week following the hand injury that has kept him out of the opening weeks of the 2008/09 season. "I'm not quite sure who is more excited about it - Owen or me! He's been working very hard to combine his rugby and school commitments and that has meant a lot of early starts to get to training. But he's been working hard and it will be a very proud moment for the family if he makes his Saracens first team debut on Sunday."

Along with Farrell, fellow Academy players Alex Walker, Hayden Smith, Jackson Wray and Mickey Wilson are on the bench, while 6ft 7in second row Harry Spencer makes his full debut alongside Kris Chesney in the starting line-up.

"This side shows the strength in depth we are developing at Saracens and this is a team that has hundreds of appearances, dozens of test caps and plenty of experience and skill within it," explained Jones.

"Those guys who were involved at Bristol on Wednesday were disappointed when I told them they wouldn't be involved this weekend and that's exactly the kind of attitude we are looking for. But it's also important that we manage the squad. We've had a pretty settled team for the first five matches this season so this weekend is an opportunity for those who haven't been involved.

"We're looking for these guys coming in to stake a claim in the side. We've already seen Andy Saull do that this season and we've got a mix of some skilful young players and the smarts that comes with experience so it's a great chance for people to step up to the mark."

Fijian captain and scrumhalf Moses Rauluni will lead the side for the first time.

Saracens line-up vs Llanelli Scarlets

15 Dan Scarbrough
14 Edd Thrower
13 Francisco Leonelli
12 Alex Goode
11 Noah Cato
10 Gordon Ross
9 Moses Rauluni ©
1 Nick Lloyd
2 Matt Cairns
3 Tom Mercey
4 Harry Spencer
5 Kris Chesney
6 Don Barrell
7 Andy Saull
8 Ben Skirving

16 Alex Walker
17 Cobus Visagie
18 Hayden Smith
19 Jackson Wray
20 Mickey Wilson
21 Owen Farrell
22 Rodd Penney