Owen Farrell has returned to Saracens after a difficult season with Racing 92, but the fly-half remains non-committal about his international future with England or the British & Irish Lions this summer. Speaking at the StoneX Stadium, the 33-year-old emphasised his priority is to get back to enjoying his rugby after an injury-plagued spell in France.
Farrell, who turns 34 in September, said he is focused on settling back at his boyhood club. “I couldn’t see myself anywhere else other than here,” he stated. “This is my home and this is the place where I’d want to go.” He added that he wants to “get myself in a good place” and “be happy” following a season disrupted by injuries and the fallout from the 2023 World Cup, where he was booed by England fans after becoming the nation's record points scorer.
While Farrell has not retired from international duty, he declined to confirm whether he would be available for England’s summer tour of Argentina and the US, or the Lions’ trip to Australia. “There’s nothing for me to do other than concentrate on getting myself back here and getting myself in the best place I can,” he said. “Everything else is hypothetical.” He admitted finding it difficult to watch England’s Six Nations campaign and is nearing full fitness after a concussion ended his Racing season early.
Farrell has been in regular contact with England head coach Steve Borthwick, but it remains unclear if he will be called up. Regarding the Lions, his father Andy Farrell, the head coach, left the door open for Owen to join later. Owen noted, “It’s not changed I don’t think, it’s the same.” He reflected fondly on his previous Lions tours, particularly the 2013 tour of Australia, saying, “I loved it.”
Farrell’s determination to enjoy his rugby again suggests he may be open to international action if the call comes, but for now, his focus is on a full pre-season with Saracens. “If I get to that, and I’m loving what I’m doing, then we’ll see,” he concluded.
