Farrell knows he will be a union success

FORMER Great Britain rugby league captain Andy Farrell yesterday answered criticism over his cross-code switch by declaring: “If I was a betting man I’d back myself.”

Farrell has signed a three-year contract with Saracens in a deal jointly funded by the Rugby Football Union, who have earmarked him as a potential England international.

The 29-year-old's rugby pedigree is beyond dispute, but the move has been greeted with raised eyebrows by both codes.

Farrell's age counts against him he will be 32 by the time the next World Cup comes around and has never played a competitive union match.

He is currently recovering from knee surgery that rules him out until mid-May and there are doubts over which position he will play.

But the 2004 Super League Man of Steel, who was paraded at Vicarage Road yesterday, dismissed suggestions the move is a risk and vowed to do whatever it takes to make a successful transition.

"Saracens are on the up the progress made by the club has impressed me. I talked to (head coach) Steve Diamond and liked what I heard. I want to help the club move forward," he said.

"One of the good things about this move is the time period I have to make the transition. I have the chance to learn the game and hit the ground running when next season begins.

"How successful I'm going to be is down to how hard I train, but I'm going to put in as much time as possible to make sure it works.

"People are talking about it being risky but I know my attitude and record. If I was a betting man I would back myself."

Farrell has 34 Great Britain caps 29 as skipper and last season he scooped the Golden Boot as Test player of the year.

But the prospect of representing his country at both codes has proved impossible to resist and Farrell admitted his ambition to follow in the footsteps of Jason Robinson and Henry Paul fuelled the move.

"Initially I'd like to be a success at club level and then I want to progress by being a success with England.

"I face a lot of hard work ahead of me but I have the chance to become a dual international and that is something special. If I don't give it a go I know I will regret it later in life."

The position Farrell will fill for Saracens has been the source of considerable debate with fly-half, centre and the back row all mooted as possibilities, but he insisted this was not important.

"Where I play is down to the coaches. Whether you play league or union, it's all about winning, not what position you're filling," he said.

"I know my own skills and attributes whatever position they are best suited to is up to the people in charge. I really don't mind where I play."

England head coach Andy Robinson stated his prodigious talent made him a valuable asset.

He said: "Andy can play any position. The skills he brings to union could revolutionise the sport. There are no players in union with his skills.

"Andy is a tremendous rugby player. We've brought him to union to see him reproduce the skills he has shown in league. Inside centre or back row, Andy is about creativity and he will impose himself on the 15-man game."

At considerable cost, the RFU have backed Robinson's determination to bring Farrell to union and it is hoped he will be ready for the 2007 World Cup. But Robinson insisted there was no rush.

"Andy's main focus is his involvement with Saracens. After that there are the opportunities England will bring.

"You can have time lines but the key for Andy is to get fit and used to playing the game."