Owen Farrell to take a break from international rugby just a month after England Rugby World Cup heartache
Owen Farrell won't be playing for England for the foreseeable future
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Owen Farrell is set to take a break from international rugby.
The England star helped his country recently reach the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup, with South Africa winning that showdown last month.
Farrell was previously suspended for the first two matches of the competition.
And Saracens have now announced the veteran will be taking a break from the international scene to focus on his family, as well as his mental health.
𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗕 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧.@owen_faz has decided to take a break from international rugby in order to prioritise his and his family's mental well-being.
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) November 29, 2023
As always, Owen will have the full support of everyone at the club ❤️
Full Story 👇#YourSaracens💫
“Owen Farrell has decided to take a break from international rugby in order to prioritise his and his family's mental well-being," the statement read.
"As always, Owen will have the full support of everyone at the club."
Steve Borthwick has also released a statement, adding: "Everyone at England Rugby is fully behind Owen's decision.
"Since making his debut, he has been an integral part of the England set up for over a decade and the demands on elite athletes are extremely challenging.
"He is an exemplary player, captain and leader and always gives his all for his country.
"It is with typical courage that Owen has made this decision to open up in this manner.
"Together with all of us at England Rugby, I will do everything I can to ensure that he has the support he requires going forward."
Farrell has received plenty of abuse over the past year.
And he now needs time off to ensure he can shine for his country in the future.
Farrell, like many of his England team-mates, was crushed after his country's exit from the Rugby World Cup last month.
He reacted to their exit by saying: "I am unbelievably proud of this group and what they have done over this past few months together.
"It has not all gone our way as everybody knows, we have had everything thrown at us - it has been a rollercoaster.
"I'm glad where we have built to, but gutted we don't have a crack at the big one next week.
"I am massively proud of this group and I hope everyone back home is as well.
"We came up with a plan during the week and the weather conditions played a part in it as well.
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"We started the game really well, we shocked them at times and they made a few changes to change what they were doing.
"But credit to them fighting their way back into it and finding a way to win at the end."
On playing for England and what it means to him, he added: "I am massively proud of how we have built, the support has built over the World Cup and that performance shows how proud we are to be English and to wear this shirt.
"I think we have made a start of going forward and there is a lot to come from this group."