Owen Farrell makes feelings clear on England future as former captain speaks out - 'There’s no point'

Owen Farrell makes feelings clear on England future as former captain speaks out - 'There’s no point'

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Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 20/03/2024

- 19:27

The fly-half is taking time away from the international game

Owen Farrell claims there is 'no point' making any definitive decisions on whether he will pull on an England Test jersey again.

The 32-year-old stepped away from England duty last November to protect his mental wellbeing following strong criticism at the Rugby World Cup.


Farrell has made 112 appearances for England since his debut in 2012 but took the decision to focus on his club career with Saracens.

He will leave Saracens at the end of the 2023/24 season to join French side Racing 92, which rules out an England return until at least 2026.

Owen Farrell

Owen Farrell has refused to rule out a return to the England rugby team in the future

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A potential international return could see him back in contention ahead of the next World Cup in Australia in 2027.

Farrell is not ruling it out but doesn't want to give a definite answer either way.

He said: "I’ve stepped back and there’s obviously a change happening next year. 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 [Borthwick] and said my reasons for making the decision, they were really supportive."

Farrell missed the Six Nations, with Borthwick's side finishing the campaign in third following a late defeat to France last weekend.

He has no regrets over his decision to step back and insists he is enjoying playing again.

Farrell added: "The World Cup was difficult at times, but I really enjoyed the playing side of it and the being involved side.

"I was trying to get back to enjoying my rugby, loving what I'm doing, and I'm enjoying it now.

"It's never one thing why you come to a decision. Normally it's a lot of things which come together which make those decisions.

"I thought it would be best for me and my family, there's a change happening next year off the back of it.

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Owen Farrell

Owen Farrell decided to take a step back from international rugby last year

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"I've done that because I think it will be good for me and I hope that will give me the space to get back to enjoying what I'm doing."

Farrell admits the criticism that came his way at last year's World Cup got to him.

He says he deleted his social media in an attempt to block out the noise.

"I don't really try to look too much into it and obviously it's hard to get away from nowadays," Farrell said.

Owen Farrell

Owen Farrell has been focusing on club rugby with Saracens

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"You kind of feel it at times, but you'd be wrong to entertain it too much because anyone's opinion I respect or anyone who I think of or anyone I know, to be honest, I wouldn't see them going into comments sections and writing stuff.

"My thoughts would be why would I think about it too much? But you do get a sense of it.

"I deleted social media for the whole of the World Cup. You still feel it's there, but the one thing that stays constant is you try to be your best."

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