In a surprising announcement, England fly-half Owen Farrell has signed a two-year deal with French Top 14 club Racing 92, casting doubt over his future with the national team. The 32-year-old will join Racing from next season, meaning he will miss the upcoming Six Nations as he takes a mental health break from international rugby. Farrell, who captained England at the World Cup, has been a key figure for the national team and his absence will be felt. The move to Racing 92 is likely to make him unavailable for England, as current coach Steve Borthwick is unable to select players based abroad.
The speculation about Farrell's move to Racing 92 began earlier this month when French media linked him to the Paris-based outfit, which is coached by former England boss Stuart Lancaster. The club confirmed the signing on Monday, stating that Farrell will join the squad on July 1, 2024. This decision raises questions about Farrell's future with the national team and whether he will be able to represent England again.
Borthwick, who has been vocal about Farrell's situation, had urged the fly-half to make the right move for himself. With hooker Jamie George set to captain the side during the Six Nations, Farrell's absence will be keenly felt. In recent seasons, there have been temporary exemptions to the rule that allows players based abroad to represent England, but it remains to be seen if Farrell will benefit from such an exemption.
Farrell's father, Andy, is set to coach the British and Irish Lions during next year's tour of Australia. Owen Farrell has already toured with the Lions three times, adding to his impressive resume. Borthwick acknowledged that Farrell's absence would be a loss for England but emphasized that he wants the player to do what is right for himself and his family.
Joining Racing 92 means that Farrell will be following in the footsteps of other top-level fly-halves who have played for the club, including former New Zealand outside-halves Dan Carter and Andrew Mehrtens. Finn Russell, the mercurial Scotland number 10, also left Racing last season after spending five years with the club. Racing president Laurent Travers expressed his excitement about Farrell's signing, highlighting his experience and success at both the club and international level.
Farrell's England teammate Henry Arundell and South Africa's two-time Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi are already at Racing, further strengthening the club's already impressive roster. Racing is currently leading the Top 14 after 12 rounds and has qualified for the Champions Cup last 16. With the addition of Farrell, the club's young players are expected to benefit from his expertise and leadership.
As Farrell prepares to embark on this new chapter of his career, the rugby world will be watching closely to see how this move will impact his future with the national team. While his absence will no doubt be felt by England, it is clear that he has made a decision that he believes is best for himself and his family. Only time will tell what the future holds for Farrell, but his talent and experience will undoubtedly be missed on the international stage.