The 30-year-old admits getting to grips with the intricacies of rugby union has not always been easy but is eager to put what he has learnt on the training field into practice when Saracens travel to Bedford.
"I've fitted in very well to a good squad. They're a great set of lads and this is a good club. Pre-season is pretty similar in both sports - it's about getting yourself in the right shape," he said.
"I'm picking things up constantly. I'm finding there are a few things that have been brought up in training by players and coaching staff that I don't understand fully. I've been doing a bit of homework.
"But you don't know if you've got it right or not until you start playing the game - I just can't wait to get started and see what rugby union is all about.
"I've been in pre-season for nine weeks and have done quite a lot of contact so it will be nice to get the first game under my belt for confidence reasons. We've got two warm-up matches then the start of the season in three weeks."
Farrell's all-round ability allowed him to fill a number of roles in league but the greater technicality of union has sparked considerable debate over where he would be his most natural position in the rival code.
Midfield and back row were considered the most likely options for a player of his size and skill-set and Saracens head coach Steve Diamond confirmed he will initially be used at inside centre.
But Diamond is keeping his options open and is ready to experiment in what has been viewed as one of the riskiest cross-codes moves - jointly funded by Saracens and the Rugby Football Union - given Farrell's age and injury problems.
"We have a clear picture of the role Andy is going to play for us. His distribution skills and understanding of where he is on the field are such that he will be a major decision maker for us," he said.
"We won't hide from the fact he'll play at inside centre or in the back row, but primarily we're looking at inside centre to begin with. We'll start him there and see how he does. He's very versatile and we're looking at things pragmatically.
"We've said from the moment we approached him in November that he'll be one of our main receivers. It's irrelevant what number he has on his back at set pieces because it's after set pieces that we feel he can do some damage for us.
"In six or 12 months we may look at other positions. We'll have a 6ft 4in, 18-stones player who can run, kick and pass better than most people. We'll look at the areas where he can do the most damage. But first we must get his understanding of the game up to scratch."
Diamond revealed flanker Richard Hill will be missing for most of the season after sustaining a serious knee injury during the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.
"Richard will probably be out for eight months - until the back end of the season, if it all goes according to plan," he said.







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