Owen Farrell on the verge of turning his back on English rugby for good after meeting Racing 92 bosses amid break from international game

05/01/2024

Farrell is taking break from Test rugby [1] to prioritise his and his family’s wellbeing
He is in ‘advanced discussions’ to join TOP14 leaders Racing on three-year deal
The England captain would not be able to represent his country should he move

Published: 17:25, 5 January 2024 | Updated: 18:09, 5 January 2024

Owen Farrell [3] is on the verge of turning his back on English rugby for good and leaving Saracens with the No 10 close to sealing a blockbuster move to French giants Racing 92.

Farrell captained England to a third-place finish at last year’s World Cup but caused a major shock in November when he confirmed he was taking a break from Test rugby to prioritise his and his family’s wellbeing [4] after he was targeted for ‘horrendous’ online and in-stadium hate by supporters.

England head coach Steve Borthwick [5] said on Thursday there was no guarantee Farrell would return [6] to the international game and those slim hopes now look to be over.

Mail Sport understands initial reports in France that Farrell is in ‘advanced discussions’ to join TOP14 leaders Racing on a three-year contract are correct.

It is also understood that while no contract has been signed, Farrell has met with Racing’s boss and former England head coach Stuart Lancaster as well as the club’s owner Jacky Lorenzetti.

A move to France would make Farrell, 32, ineligible for England duty as only players who are employed by Gallagher Premiership clubs can represent Borthwick’s national side.

Owen Farrell is on the verge of joining Racing 92 and turning his back on English rugby for good

Currently taking an indefinite leave from Test rugby, Farrell claimed he was targeted for 'horrendous' online and in-stadium hate by supporters The No 10 captained Steve Borthwick's side to third place at the Rugby World Cup