Owen Farrell Signs Two-Year Deal with Racing 92, Shifting Focus Away from England

Owen Farrell has chosen to join French club Racing 92 on a two-year deal, signaling a hiatus from his international career with England. The Saracens fly-half, set to relocate to Paris in the summer, will be ineligible for England selection until mid-2026, impacting his potential return to the national team.

Farrell’s move to Racing 92, confirmed by the club, adds to the growing trend of top English players venturing to France’s Top 14. While the 35-year-old could theoretically be considered for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia next year, the two-year stint with Racing rules him out of England’s plans for upcoming seasons.

The French club’s statement reads: “Racing 92 has formalized the signing of Owen Farrell within its professional men’s team. The English international is committed to two seasons and will join the Ciel et Blanc squad from 1 July 2024.”

This decision further distances Farrell from the England setup, and the RFU may need to reconsider eligibility rules if he aims to reclaim the No. 10 jersey in the future. As England’s record points scorer with 112 international caps, Farrell captained the team to a third-place finish in the recent World Cup.

His departure is significant for Saracens, where Farrell has played for 15 years. Joining Racing reunites him with former England coach Stuart Lancaster. Lancaster expressed enthusiasm, stating, “He would be a great signing… who wouldn’t want a player like Owen Farrell? I have signed here for four years, and what I am trying to do is to build a team that can win this year and be really competitive over the next couple of years as well.