Farrell hints at England return
Owen Farrell has not ruled out a possible return for England despite admitting that at times the booing from supporters during the World Cup in France last year was tough to take.
The 32-year-old decided to step back from the international stage in November to “prioritise his and his family’s mental wellbeing” and his move to Top 14 side Racing 92 next season will ensure he is not available for Steve Borthwick’s side for the next two seasons.
However, the former England captain, refreshed from a two-month break, insists he still has plenty he wants to achieve as a player.
When asked about the possibility of a test return – which could include representing the British and Irish Lions in Australia next year – Farrell said it would depend on how he felt down the line.
“I’ve stepped back and there’s obviously a change happening next year,” said Farrell, who has won 112 caps for England. “Then we’ll see. There’s no point in saying anything now because I don’t know how I’m going to feel later down the line. We’ll see.
“Everyone has been really supportive. Everyone has been understanding. All they have done is offer support. When I sat down and spoke to people here [Saracens] and spoke to Steve and said my reasons for making the decision, they were really supportive.”
A move back to England could see Farrell become available again in time for the 2027 World Cup in Australia and Mark McCall, Saracens director of rugby, claimed the former captain had the drive to extend his international career if he chose to.
“There are very few players who can, and I think he is one of them,” said McCall. “But you have got to have the drive to do that, you have got to have the competitive spirit to do that. I think he has that.”
What is clear is that the break has clearly done Farrell good.
He spent time in Ireland during his break, to watch his 12-year-old brother Gabriel play a club match for Old Belvedere, and watched England from the stands at Twickenham when Borthwick’s side defeated an Ireland team coached by Farrell’s father, Andy, in the Six Nations.
Asked if the experience left him wanting to be out there again, he said: “You sit there and watch any massive game like that and wish you wanted to be involved but I am happy with the decision at the moment.
“Not to say that is not going to be up and down, but you try and do it for the right reasons. I think I have done that. But when there is a big game on – you watch New Zealand versus South Africa, you want to be involved in that – I sat there itching watching it a little bit, as I have done at home. But I am pretty happy.”