Owen Farrell: England fly-half signs two-year deal with Racing 92 to end speculation over Saracens future

Owen Farrell will join Racing 92 from Saracens at the end of the 2023-24 season, the French side announced on Monday.

The England fly-half has agreed a two-year deal with the Paris-based Top 14 club and his departure will mark the end of a 16-year spell at Sarries.

Farrell, 32, is England’s all-time top points scorer but announced at the end of 2023 that he would be taking a break from international rugby and miss the 2024 Six Nations in order to prioritise his mental health.

He captained England to third place at the Rugby World Cup in October, but his move to France means he will no longer be eligible to play for his country, with RFU regulations preventing head coach Steve Borthwick from selecting players who ply their trade abroad.

Jamie George, who was selected by Borthwick to replace Farrell as England captain, recently said it would be a "shock" if his Saracens team-mate left the club.

Farrell is indeed a Saracens legend, winning six Premiership titles and two European Player of the Year awards during his time with the team.

But TNT Sports expert Brian O’Driscoll believed the scrutiny and "abuse" that Farrell has faced of late was behind his move to Racing 92, which had been heavily speculated for some time.

"He's got young kids, maybe he just needs a break away from it," said O’Driscoll.

"Not that he wants to re-find love for the game but reading between the lines, I think the abuse that he's taken over the course of the last 18 months has really taken its toll."

O'Driscoll added: "Maybe it feels as though it's an opportunity to escape that for a while, live in another city and have a great time with his young family."

Farrell was given his international debut in 2012 by former England boss and Leinster senior coach Stuart Lancaster, and the pair are set to be reunited at Racing 92.

The French outfit are currently leading the Top 14, four points above second-placed Union Bordeaux Bègles, and have qualified for the last 16 in the Investec Champions Cup.

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