Owen Farrell says he wants to play rugby for as long as possible and has opened the door to a return to the England squad. The former captain will be out of the national team for at least two years after agreeing a summer move to French club Racing 92.
Farrell sat out this year’s Six Nations for the welfare of his family but insists his love for the game remains undiminished.Asked about his international future, he said: “I’ve taken a step back and that will obviously change next year. [moving to France]. Then we’ll see. There’s no point in saying anything now because I don’t know how I’m going to feel later. “
While Rugby League rules prohibit overseas players from representing England, Farrell could be selected by the British and Irish Lions for next year’s series in Australia. His father, Andy Farrell, was the manager on the three-Test tour. “Did I talk to my dad about it? I told him: ‘Good job,’ if that counts,” Farrell said. “There’s nothing to talk about – whatever happens, happens.
“No decision can be made yet. As the time gets closer, I think it will become clear, or not yet. You see what people are like at that time. There is nothing to talk about at the moment.”
Farrell will begin the final phase of his 16-year career at Saracens on Saturday and is expected to play his 250th game for the club against London rivals Harlequins. If the domestic champions and three-time European champions reach the Premier League and Champions League finals, Farrell will have up to 13 Saracens appearances remaining.
Speaking to the media for the first time since making his racing move public in January, Farrell optimistically reflected on his decision to cross the Channel.
“Obviously the World Cup is difficult at times,” he said, alluding to the boos he received from his own fans. “I really enjoy playing the game and being a part of it. I’m just trying to enjoy myself again, trying to enjoy my rugby again, trying to love what I’m doing again.”
Farrell decided to retire from international rugby after 112 appearances for his country before moving to France. In November, after leading England to third place at the World Cup, he said he would prioritize his and his family’s mental health. Four months later, Farrell stands by his choice.
“I just want to make sure I do the right thing as a family on my own,” he said. “Everything else that happens, I have no control over. It’s not up to me.
“I’m not the most outgoing person on social media, and I’m not the most outspoken person in general. So I guess I’ve never been someone who’s willing to give too much, and I don’t expect people to know what I’m like. Man, what kind of person am I. So when it does get personal, it’s stupid for me to listen to it. I’m just trying to do the right thing by us and by myself.
“But you feel something [the negativity] Sometimes, but it would be a mistake if I enjoyed it too much. Because I respect anyone’s opinion, or honestly anyone I know, I’m not going to see them go into the comments section and write something. I don’t know anyone who does this, so my thoughts on it are: “Why should I think about it so much?” But you do get the idea. I deleted social media throughout the World Cup but you still feel like it’s there. “
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Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said Farrell’s treatment was “disgraceful” and “unfair” and praised his player for being “courageous enough to speak out” about his struggles. “I think it probably changed the dial at least a little bit,” McCall said.
For Farrell, the swan song also changed his heart. “It makes me want to enjoy it more,” he said. “It makes me want to finish the game well and I think when we’re enjoying it the most, we’re playing our best stuff, we’re playing our best selves. That’s the focus, that’s what we faced at the end of last year The question is, we finished the season successfully so there’s a good opportunity to do that in a big game this weekend, so we’ll see what happens.”
Saracens are fourth in the league, a point behind second-placed Harlequins but just six points ahead of eighth-placed Bristol, who have a challenging game ahead. After the London derby at Tottenham Stadium, they will travel to table-toppers Northampton before heading to Bordeaux Begle for their European tour. This may not be a fairy tale ending. Even so, even if Farrell fails to add to the six league titles and three European crowns he won with Saracens, his manager is convinced his legacy is secure.
“He’s done everything here and achieved everything,” McCall said. “To explore his opportunities in France and experience something different with his family, I think it’s a great thing to do at this stage of his career.
“Honestly, I can’t imagine Owen Farrell not playing rugby for the rest of his life. Given his rugby IQ, his ability to motivate, his ability to communicate, the good person he is, you can see him easily moving into coaching. , we hope he can become a coach one day.”
