Farrell grateful to England medics for stitch-up

ANDY FARRELL has revealed a debt of gratitude to England’s medical staff after he kept his World Cup hopes firmly on track.

The biggest game in Farrell’s fledgling rugby union career could have ended inside five minutes following a clash of heads with Wales skipper Gareth Thomas at Twickenham.

But almost 20 minutes later – and sporting anything between 12 and 15 stitches above his left eye – Farrell returned to play an important role as England smashed the woeful Welsh in record-breaking fashion in a 62-5 mauling.