Owen Farrell: Divided loyalties 'weird' for the family

England captain Owen Farrell admits his mother Colleen is stuck in an unenviable position as he attempts to deny father Andy Grand Slam glory with Ireland.

The personal circumstances of the Farrell family is a major subplot going into Saturday's sold-out Dublin showdown, with the hosts odds-on favourites to complete a Guinness Six Nations clean sweep.

Out-half Farrell is out to spoil the St Patrick's weekend party at the Aviva Stadium after being recalled by Steve Borthwick, having begun last weekend's 53-10 thrashing by France on the bench.

The 31-year-old insists it will be business as usual for him and his dad but concedes it is a tricky situation for relatives caught in the middle.

"It's not weird for us two," he said. "It's probably a bit more weird for the family that's supporting, especially my mum.

"She says she doesn't know what she wants to happen. It's probably a bit tough for her - well, I know it is.

"But in terms of us, we're just doing our job. He's not out there on the field, it's not direct competition.

"We've been doing it for a long time now. It's not the first time we've done it."

"There's definitely a lot of pride in our family for the job that he's doing."

Owen's sons Tommy and Freddie are staying at his parents' house in Sandymount, Dublin. Ireland head coach Andy, who is not currently at home due to preparing his team for the mouthwatering championship finale, joked on Thursday that he would attempt to convert his grandsons into home fans and have them wearing green jerseys.

Both boys own England and Ireland shirts but Owen expects them to be sporting the former this weekend.

"They're a bit young yet [to decide where their allegiances lie]," he said.

"They're just doing as their grandad's told them to,