The son of rugby league great and former England centre Andy, Owen Farrell is one of the rising stars of English rugby with his game management and goal-kicking prowess making him an exciting option at either fly-half or centre.

He became the youngest ever player to appear in English professional rugby when he made his senior debut for Saracens in 2008 aged just 17 - running out against the Scarlets in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. The record was later broken by Leicester's George Ford, the son of another former rugby league international - Mike Ford.

He would go on to breakthrough into the Sarries first team during a memorable 2010-11 season that started with him gaining experience with National League side Bedford Blues and ended with him lifting the Premiership title at Twickenham. Farrell finished a highly promising debut season with a flawless display in the season finale as he kicked 17 points to inspire his side to victory over Leicester Tigers.

During a ground-breaking campaign he also made two appearances for England U20s as they powered to the 2011 Six Nations Grand Slam and another four during the IRB Junior World Championship in Italy that ended with defeat to New Zealand in the tournament finale. The year also saw him nominated for the Young Player of the Season by both the Premiership and Rugby Players' Association.

His star continued to rise in 2012 when he was named in Stuart Lancaster's 32-man squad for the 2012 Six Nations. He went on to start England opening victories over Scotland and Italy at inside centre - kicking 22 points in the process. An injury to fly-half Charlie Hodgson then prompted a move to the No.10 shirt for the showdown with Wales at Twickenham.

Farrell finished the tournament in the ten berth his impressive season was recognised after he scooped the Discovery of the Season Award at the Aviva Premiership Rugby Awards. And he started the first of England's three Tests against South Africa in the fly-half berth, although he was then replaced in the starting XV by Toby Flood - a spot that Flood kept for the start of the 2012 autumn internationals.

However Farrell's fine display in England's win over New Zealand at Twickenham ensure he was the man in possession when it came to the 2013 Six Nations. He enjoyed a strong start to the tournament as England beat Scotland, Ireland and France.

He missed the lacklustre win at home to Italy, but returned to the starting line-up for the final fixture away to Wales. Though there was little he could do to stem a rampant Welsh side from retaining their Six Nations title, he scored England's only points in a 30-3 loss.

Farrell continued his impressive form as Saracens reached the Heineken Cup semi-finals and he was rewarded for his continued excellence with a place on the Lions tour to Australia.