By Phil Harlow

Farrell will be the centre of attention in Esher on Monday

After his years captaining Wigan and Great Britain in rugby league, Andy Farrell should be used to pressure.

Which is just as well, with the superlatives and lofty predictions piling up ahead of Farrell's long-awaited rugby union debut for Saracens - albeit in their reserve team - against Harlequins on Monday.

Farrell is in the unenviable position of being talked up as a potential saviour for a beleaguered England side, currently on a five-Test losing streak, before he has even played a game in his new code.

The 31-year-old's injury problems since his high-profile switch to union in March 2005 are well-documented: knee surgery was followed by a broken toe, which preceded a prolapsed disc resulting from a car crash.

But that did not stop Farrell - who will start off at blindside flanker for Saracens - being included in England's 40-man elite squad.

"He can definitely make a massive difference," England defence coach Mike Ford told BBC Sport.

"Andy won't think like a typical rugby union player. He can offer an X-factor that hasn't been seen before.

"As a player he has been - and still is - one of the best in the world.

PLENTY TO LIVE UP TO... He can offer an X-factor that hasn't been seen before England defence coach Mike Ford He has an aura around him like the one that surrounded Martin Johnson RFU chairman Martyn Thomas I think he is going to bring enormous things to English rugby Saracens coach Alan Gaffney

"Even though he's playing a different code now, I'm totally confident he will be a success."

Having witnessed Farrell's injury struggles at first hand over the last 12 months, Ford - who left Saracens to take up his role with England - paid tribute to his next-door neighbour's strength of character.

"As a friend and person, he's great company," said Ford.

"But he's also a tremendously tough character. You need to be, to deal with what he went through last season.

"There was never really any doubt about including him in the elite squad.

"We know the sort of man and character he is. The way we want to go about it is to see him play and get settled in the squad as soon as possible."

Understandably, Farrell has been at pains to reduce the weight of expectation heaped on his broad shoulders, while much of the praise lavished on him has come with caveats that we should not expect too much, too soon.

But with the likes of RFU chairman Martyn Thomas likening Farrell to Martin Johnson, the revered captain of England's World Cup winners in 2003, there seems little chance of the hype dying down any time soon.

"I've spoken to people at Sarries and they say Andy is a remarkable bloke," Thomas told BBC Sport.

"He has an aura around him like the one that surrounded Martin Johnson. Everyone has massive respect for him."

Farrell's new coach at Saracens Alan Gaffney is also expecting great things of the two-time Man of Steel.

"Coming from Australia and watching a lot of rugby league, I knew Andy has been one of the greats of the game for the last 10 years," said Gaffney.

"Just to be involved with him is a pleasure. He is a fantastic guy and a delight to work with.

"He is thirsting for knowledge and I think he is going to bring enormous things to English rugby."