Owen Farrell admits the memories of a successful summer with the British & Irish Lions will be fresh in his memory when he steps back out onto the international stage.
The 22-year-old looks set to start in the Red Rose No.10 jersey on Saturday after being retained in Stuart Lancaster’s matchday 23 for England’s clash with Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.
If he is given the nod it will be Farrell’s first international run out since he helped the British & Irish Lions to a 2-1 series victory against the Qantas Wallabies – coming off the bench in decisive third Test.
And as the Saracens star looks to get one over the same opposition again this weekend, he insists the adventure Down Under has made him better prepared to transfer the success over into an England shirt.
“You have to use the experiences of the summer, it was an unbelievable experience and one that I learned a lot from,” he said.
“So you have to dip into that and make sure that you keep using it.
“I think I learned most about what happens off the field. A lot of people do a lot on the field and stay behind after training and you see why these players are so good.
“But having watched some of the players that have been at the top for so long [with the Lions] it is not just about that work that goes on the field but about what goes on off it too, dragging people up around you and making them realise as well.
“It is a big challenge, Australia have been playing very well and have been together for a long time this year.
“We will have to get up to speed quickly and make sure we are as prepared as we can be for this Test on Saturday.”
