He may be just 26 and with a World Cup to forget behind him, but such is the importance of Owen Farrell to England’s hopes in Japan in 2019, he is already being compared to the great Jonny Wilkinson.

The rugby league convert has been an integral part of England’s new look back line under boss Eddie Jones since breaking into the team six years ago.

Whether it be at fly-half or centre, the versatile back possesses the sort of coolness under pressure, game management skills and pinpoint kicking that made Wilkinson a hero to not only England fans, but rugby aficionados the world over.

Eddie Jones has found the perfect combination to incorporate Farrell and long-time friend George Ford into the same England back line and with the two pulling the strings, England have been peerless in the Six Nations under the Australian’s guidance.

And now former World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi is touting Farrell as a man to rival Wilkinson’s greatness with a red rose on his chest.

“First of all, I’d day he’s world class. We don’t talk a lot about players being world class in rugby sometimes, we always talk about other sports. But I just think his name is transcending other sports,” said Alphonsi, speaking on behalf of Land Rover during a HITZ session at The Stoop to celebrate International Women’s Day.

“People know who he is. We talk about Jonny Wilkinson all the time, but I think Owen Farrell is that. He is that for us. He’s always consistent as well.

“His kicking percentage rate is always very high, he’s a playmaker. That first kick through for Jonny May’s first try [against Wales at Twickenham] – things like that, he just is very good tactically.

“I always worry that he’ll get injured though.

“If we lost him that would be a real worry for England, but he’s playing some really good rugby.”

Farrell has enjoyed more success in the domestic game than Wilkinson enjoyed with Newcastle Falcons, winning consecutive European Champions Cups with Saracens and being named European Player of the Year in 2017.

Four Lions Test appearances have also come from two tours and Alphonsi believes his influence will be felt throughout the England squad – not just the backs.

“What’s it like to have a player like that in your team?” she questioned. “It’s huge because it raises everyone’s level.

“I’ve had the privilege of training with him a long time ago in the Saracens academy and he speaks with authority and you have to lift your standard to what he’s doing and if you don’t he’ll call you out on it, so I think he’s a character that players need to have.

“He’s very similar to Johnny Sexton in what he does with Ireland. He has a standard and everyone has got to raise themselves to it.

“If he doesn’t do something well, he’s the first person to beat himself up about it rather than the players around him, so he has been instrumental for England.”

Farrell’s next task will be to mastermind another Calcutta Cup win for England, against a Scottish side buoyed by last weekend’s comeback victory against France.

And she feels the manner of victory against Wales, last time out, will give England confidence ahead of the clash.

“To grind out that win against Wales was massive for them,” concluded Alphonsi. “To go away to Murrayfield is not going to be any easier but England should be confident because they’ve got all the players coming back and they’ve had two good performances.

“Yes, Wales held them to not scoring in the second half but I don’t think anyone will be too bothered by that. It’s about winning those games really.

“Whereas Scotland, I think for them it’s about how they can manage the expectation and the pressure will be on Greig Laidlaw.”

Maggie Alphonsi is a Land Rover Ambassador. Land Rover is a key partner of HITZ, the sport for change programme that uses rugby to motivate young adults. Follow @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal