Owen Farrell has decided to step away from international rugby for an unspecified period to prioritise his and his family's mental wellbeing, meaning the England captain will not be available for the upcoming Six Nations.
The shock announcement comes days after Farrell was involved in an on-field exchange with referee Luke Pearce, which led to further abuse on social media. He has faced persistent negative headlines, including a red card against Wales in a World Cup warm-up match and calls for him to be dropped during the tournament.
A statement from Saracens confirmed: 'Owen Farrell has decided to take a break from international rugby in order to prioritise his and his family's mental wellbeing. This means he will not be available for selection for the 2024 Six Nations. He will continue to play for Saracens and captain the club.'
England head coach Steve Borthwick expressed full support, stating: 'Since making his debut, he has been an integral part of the England set up for over a decade... It is with typical courage that Owen has made this decision.'
Farrell, who debuted in 2012, earned 112 caps and 1,237 points for England. With his absence, George Ford and Marcus Smith are the leading contenders to fill the fly-half role for the Six Nations opener against Italy on 3 February.
