England have been dealt an enormous blow as Owen Farrell will now not be eligible to signify his nation after agreeing to maneuver to Racing 92. The French membership, who’re at present prime of the Prime 14 desk, have confirmed the fly-half will likely be becoming a member of them from Saracens in the summertime on a two-year deal.
Farrell is without doubt one of the finest gamers to have ever represented England and has received 112 caps for the his nation. And he holds the report for scoring essentially the most Take a look at factors for England after racking up 1237 factors throughout his worldwide profession.
Farrell has captained England since 2019 and skippered them on the 2023 Rugby World Cup as Steve Borthwick’s staff reached the semi-finals earlier than shedding to eventual champions South Africa.
Following the World Cup, Farrell put his worldwide profession on maintain, along with his membership facet Saracens releasing a press release that learn: “Owen Farrell has determined to take a break from worldwide rugby to be able to prioritise his and his household’s psychological well-being. This implies he won’t be obtainable for the 2024 Six Nations.”
That hiatus seemed to be short-term. However when Farrell finally hyperlinks up with Racing 92, he received’t be thought-about for England responsibility as the present choice standards signifies that head coach Borthwick can solely decide gamers who’re at present enjoying within the Premiership.
The choice standards has proved controversial over time, with England probably lacking out on selecting gamers that might be able to add one other dimension to the nationwide staff. And final yr Borthwick urged he would favor to be much less restricted in terms of choosing his squads.
“From my perspective I wish to be sure that we’re capable of choose the best variety of gamers attainable”, he stated final February. “And one of the best gamers attainable. Do I wish to be sure that we have now an England staff the place we have now one of the best gamers obtainable to us? Sure.”
In the meantime, Premiership Rugby chief government Simon Massie-Taylor beforehand defined: “Having our English gamers enjoying throughout the Premiership is vital for England and for the Premiership. From the RFU’s, ours and even the gamers’ perspective, all of us see the significance of England internationals enjoying domestically.
“Provisions exist for distinctive circumstances that may in all probability nonetheless stick with it going ahead, however all of us agree England worldwide gamers ought to be enjoying within the Premiership. There’ll all the time be a global marketplace for gamers, and gamers have that option to go overseas and never play for England.”
