Eddie Jones wants Owen Farrell to ‘frighten’ players into performing for him when he captains England on their three-Test tour to South Africa in June. The Saracens’ fly-half, who stepped into the breach against France, is leading his country for the first time over a sustained period in the absence of long-term captain, Dylan Hartley, whose ongoing problems with concussion have led Jones to wonder if he might ever play again.

Farrell has no played no part in the current England training camp in Brighton and will only do so once his commitments with Saracens are over, either after this weekend’s semi-final against Wasps or following the conclusion of the Aviva Premiership season at Twickenham seven days later.

Nonetheless, Jones expects to see the 26-year-old leave his mark on the team in much the same manner that Hartley has done over the last two and a half years as the most successful winning captain in English history. Jones noted that Farrell reminds him of former Wallaby scrum-half, George Gregan, who worked under the Australian in the years leading to their World Cup final against England in 2003.

“I have never seen a stronger winner than George,” said Jones. “He demanded stuff from the team and they were frightened not to give it to him. Owen is as close to (his) mark and he will put his own stamp on this team. He is a completely different character to Dylan. They have different cultural backgrounds, Dylan from Rotorua, Owen from Wigan.