England v New Zealand: Owen Farrell's focus unshaken by century-cap landmark

Owen Farrell is so focused on the future that he might as well be in blinkers.

Farrell's century of England caps will be completed by that time.

He might think back to his first decade. Perhaps it will go further.

He was also given 100 as a teenager. His A-Level was physical education.

Farrell was 17 years and 11 days old when he made his debut for the team.

The exam board didn't watch it. They wanted to see the student with a perfect score for his practical module at St George's.

They only stayed a short time. Farrell charged around a school field, fizzing passes off either hand, denting tackle pads and walloping kicks, to send them on their way.

Farrell is measured in Test caps instead of percentage points.

As a single shot of creativity, England's double pivot is more potent for them.

Marcus Smith is going to fly alone. The training wheels need to be detached. The centre needs to be hard- running. Stand back and get Henry Slade to offer an out-the-back option.

It's the theory.

Eddie Jones doesn't seem to like it. It won't hurt Farrell.

He has watched it before. It has been going on for a long time.

For all the silverware and golden moments he has contributed to English rugby, the 31 year old has never seemed to capture hearts and minds as he might be expected.

Farrell admitted this week that he wasn't used to hearing nice things about him.

They have always been alternatives and their supporters.

Freddie Burns was in the beginning of his Test career. Danny was back to his old self.

Farrell was needed to shine by both of them. He has never done that. Farrell didn't want to sit out if the England backline wasn't big enough.

He has been competing against his peers as well. The ghosts of the past have also been present.

Farrell was eagerly compared to Wilkinson when he was 10 years old.

They shared the same talent, but their contrasting characters made the schtick go away.

Captaincy would have ground him into the dirt because he was so weighed down by his own responsibilities.

He admitted that he spent the height of his career worrying about the significance of every kick or mistake.

Farrell likes it. He is the first to leave the bus and the last to speak in the huddle.

He wants a lot of his teammates. Give them more.

Farrell will go down as one of the best players to ever play for England, according to Danny Care, who won the majority of his 87 caps with Farrell.

He is not appreciated like he should be. You don't know how good he is until you are on a pitch with him. He will only get the respect he deserves when he stops playing.

The lack of love is related.

Rugby is one of the things that is included.

Farrell is the figurehead of a side who had the respect of the rest of English rugby but no love.

His will to win can spill over into the ugly.

He hit Izack Rodda and other people with hits that were not legal. The one that knocked out Charlie was the one that earned him a five game ban.

The rough edge of his tongue has been felt by several refs.

Rugby isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Farrell's persona is straight bat, straight face and flat vowels.

He came to win a match. It's hard to imagine him working in the corporate lounges when he's retired.

He is his own man. White noise surrounds everything outside. He is more valued by those on the inside.

Farrell and Jamie George have been friends since they first met at the Under-15 trials.

George said that he was different in terms of his skill level, desire and approach to the game.

I had to rethink everything. I used to think I was skillful, but am I? It is not possible to say yes. I don't know if I apply myself in the correct way. I used to think I did, but it wasn't true. It was absolutely amazing.

Owen has changed the game of rugby in England. We have the ability to actually say that.

There is evidence for the claim. The legacy is being spread by others. It can be traced back to the home dressing room.

Tom Wood is a former England team-mate of Farrell and he is the coach of the under 14s.

He pointed to Owen frequently. My lad and his team-mates are told that level of energy is what they need to succeed.

You can hear Owen celebrating. It's infectious because he just lives and breathes it.

There is a lot of detail and communication in rugby.

It's not good to be doing your own thing. It's an individual sport mindset. You are part of a group of people. You have to speak.

Farrell saved those words for when it mattered.

He didn't want to wallow in history and his place in it when he was asked about his landmark.

Farrell said the game was the most exciting part.

It's the same as always.