Owen Farrell will be unavailable to England for the foreseeable future after confirming a two-year deal to play French club rugby with Racing 92. Farrell, who will be 36 when the next World Cup kicks off, will relocate to Paris this summer, making him ineligible to represent England again until mid-2026.
While Farrell could still theoretically be picked for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia next year, coached by his father Andy, the transfer definitely removes him from the England equation for the next two seasons.
Unless the Rugby Football Union chooses to amend its eligibility rules or grant the fly-half special status, he could yet find it tricky to regain the England No 10 jersey if the national team prosper in his absence.
Le Racing 92 officialise la signature d’Owen FARRELL au sein de son équipe professionnelle masculine.
— Racing 92 (@racing92) January 22, 2024
le communiqué de presse : https://t.co/3Ap6hAXadr pic.twitter.com/UJXsarhk1R
England’s record points scorer has won 112 international caps since his debut in 2012 and captained his country at the recent World Cup in France where they finished third.
A statement from the French club said: “Racing 92 has formalised the signing of Owen Farrell within its professional men’s team. The English international is committed to two seasons and will join the Ciel et Blanc squad from 1 July 2024.”
The move is a coup for Racing and intensifies the cross-Channel drift of England’s leading players. Henry Arundell, Jack Willis, Joe Marchant, David Ribbans, Sam Simmonds and Jack Nowell are all now plying their trade in the wealthier Top 14, with more expected to follow.
Farrell had already announced his decision not to make himself available in this Six Nations championship, citing his wish to prioritise his and his family’s mental wellbeing. Confirmation that he will now be leaving England in June is also a significant moment for his club Saracens, for whom Farrell has played for 15 years.
He will now join his former England coach Stuart Lancaster, who is in charge at Racing. Lancaster said this month: “He would be a great signing ... who wouldn’t want a player like Owen Farrell?
“I have signed here for four years and what I am trying to do is to build a team that can win this year and be really competitive over the next couple of years as well.”
