Farrell thankful 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, he returned to play an important role in England's crushing 62-5 win.

"The doctors did a fantastic job," said Farrell. "The only thought going through my mind was that I would go back on and it would start bleeding again, but that didn't happen and I was very appreciative of what the doctors did."

Farrell enjoyed an armchair ride in his role as England's defensive captain, given that Wales hardly constructed a meaningful attack due to them being horribly outmuscled by a heavyweight home pack.

He added: "When you are playing behind a pack like that and they got the dominance they did, it makes it easy for the backs.

"I just tried to concentrate on what we had been doing all week, trying to help the team move forward and get off to a good start."