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“Just 16” – Andy Farrell became a dad with England legend’s younger sister
Screenshot 2026-11-06 at 07.58.34

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell was just 16 when he became a dad for the first time.

His childhood sweetheart Colleen, the older sister of former England rugby league captain Sean O'Loughlin, gave birth to their son Owen in September 1991.

Just weeks later, Farrell made his senior debut for Wigan Warriors.

Owen would go on to captain England in rugby union, while his uncle Sean also captained England in rugby league.

Now, as Farrell prepares to lead Ireland against Argentina on Friday night, we look back at how it all began.

Andy Farrell became a dad at just 16

Farrell and Colleen were still teenagers when they found out they were expecting their first child.

The couple had grown up together in Wigan, where Farrell was already making a name for himself in rugby league.

Their son Owen was born on 24 September 1991.

Farrell was just 16 and trying to balance life as a new dad with his dream of becoming a professional rugby player.

Speaking to The Times, he recalled how both families helped them through those early years.

It was a lot to take on at such a young age, but Farrell was determined to make his rugby career work.

He and Colleen married in 1995 and went on to have four children together.

Colleen Farrell's brother is an England rugby legend

The family connection goes much further than Andy and Owen.

Colleen's younger brother is Sean O'Loughlin, one of the most successful players in Wigan Warriors history.

O'Loughlin spent his entire senior career with Wigan, winning four Super League Grand Finals and two Challenge Cups.

He also captained England and represented Great Britain.

Remarkably, he and Farrell were teammates at Wigan before Andy switched to rugby union.

Farrell even joked that he had babysat O'Loughlin when he was five years old.

It means the family has produced two England captains in different rugby codes: Sean O'Loughlin and his nephew Owen Farrell.

Owen Farrell wasn't always called Farrell

There is another little-known detail about the family.

When Owen was born, his parents were not yet married.

He was originally registered under his mother's surname, O'Loughlin, rather than Farrell.

After Andy and Colleen married in 1995, Owen's surname was changed to Farrell the following year.

Owen would eventually follow his father into professional rugby, becoming England captain and winning 112 international caps.

Owen Farrell’s birth certificate reveals he was originally registered as Owen Andrew O’Loughlin, taking his mother Colleen’s surname before his parents married.

Farrell admits family loyalties can be difficult

The family's rugby connections have occasionally created awkward situations.

Andy became Ireland head coach, while Owen continued representing England.

That meant Colleen and their other children sometimes found themselves supporting both sides when the countries met.

Farrell previously admitted the situation was particularly difficult for his wife.

“The hardest part is certainly for Colleen,” he said.

He also revealed that Owen's siblings experienced “unbelievably mixed emotions” when England faced Ireland.

Five facts about Andy Farrell

  • Full name: Andrew David Farrell
  • Born: 30 May 1975, Wigan, England
  • Wife: Colleen Farrell, née O'Loughlin
  • Children: Four, including former England captain Owen Farrell
  • International career: Represented Great Britain and England in rugby league, and England in rugby union

Ireland face Argentina in Nations Championship opener

Farrell will be back in the spotlight on Friday night when Ireland host Argentina at the Aviva Stadium.

The match kicks off at 8:10pm UK time, with Dan Sheehan captaining Ireland.

Sam Prendergast starts at fly-half alongside Craig Casey, while Sean Jansen makes his first Test start.

Ireland then face Fiji and South Africa later this month as Farrell continues preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.