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Eddie Jones backs Owen Farrell to stamp his own authority as England captain

Owen Farrell will take the captaincy for England's tour of South Africa in regular skipper Dylan Hartley's absence. David Rogers/Getty Images

Eddie Jones believes Owen Farrell will rule by fear after comparing the England captain's leadership style to that of Australia great George Gregan.

Farrell has replaced Dylan Hartley as skipper for next month's tour to South Africa while the Northampton hooker takes an extended break from the sport to recover from concussion.

Jones wants the Saracens playmaker to stamp his own authority on England and envisages him inspiring through his forceful nature as well as deeds on the pitch.

"Owen is a completely different character to Dylan. He has a different cultural background. Dylan is from Rotorua, Owen is from Wigan," the head coach said.

"They think about things differently, they look at things differently. Owen will put his own stamp on the team. And we want him to do that.

"George Gregan was fantastic. I have never seen a stronger winner than him. He demanded stuff from the team and they were frightened not to give it to him. He was super on the field but not as good off it."

When asked if Farrell's style mirrors Gregan's, Jones replied: "That is probably close to the mark and so we need to find people who can work off the field to help Owen."

Gregan was among the three greatest captains Jones has overseen, completing a list that also features South Africa's 2007 World Cup-winning figurehead John Smit and Japan skipper Michael Leitch.

In Jones' eyes the common ground shared by all three -- and another Wallabies talisman in John Eales -- is the time it took for them to develop into outstanding leaders, as it inevitably will for Farrell.

"Each of them had to work at it, none of them started out great captains, they all started out relatively poor captains," said Jones.

"You don't expect a captain immediately to be this all-conquering figure. It takes time, it takes effort and it takes patience.

"Owen has got the job for South Africa so he has five weeks to work through, find his own style, influence the team and we will see how he goes."