While Farrell still jumps at the chance to run out and put his body on the line, he would not go so far as to say he enjoys such brutal ballet as Saturday’s Grand Final against Hull KR promises to be.
The talk of the tussle is around keeping error-free, and not letting the Robins take advantage close to the goal-line, while the ‘X-factor’ on both sides, in French and Rovers half-back Mikey Lewis to name two, is also to be feared.
In his advancing years, weeks like this are savoured, even the media day, as while Wigan may well continue to reach major finals, someday Farrell will be the one to miss out.
“There’s not many years left, so it could be the last one,” Farrell said. “I treated the others the same way. It could be form, be injury, anything.
“Hopefully it isn’t but I’ll cherish it as if it is and the only one I’ve played and give 110% like I did in my first game.”
Fifteen years on from that win over St Helens on his first glorious Old Trafford night, the hair might have receded and the joints might be a little creakier, but the smile is just as wide on Grand Final night as it ever was for Farrell.
