‘It takes a lot of courage’ – Steve Borthwick addresses Owen Farrell’s England future
Steve Borthwick and Owen Farrell ahead of England's Rugby World Cup campaign.
England head coach Steve Borthwick admits that it is not guaranteed that captain Owen Farrell will return to international rugby.
The 32-year-old stepped away from the Test arena to focus on his and his family’s mental well-being.
Farrell has continued to play – and impress – for Saracens, but he will miss the Six Nations and Borthwick was unable to put a timeframe on his possible Red Rose comeback.
In fact, England’s boss did not seem too confident when asked about whether the playmaker would put on a white shirt again.
Farrell’s decision
“We’re all hopeful he’ll return to the England team at some point soon,” Borthwick said. “But that’s going to be a decision Owen makes.
“Will he play for England again? Erm, I’m really hopeful he does. I think, as England supporters, we all hope that. This is one of England’s greatest ever players and captains.
“But that will be his decision, at a time that’s right for him.”
Borthwick revealed that Farrell opened up to him towards the end of England’s Rugby World Cup, which saw them take third place in France.
“We took a walk and Owen shared some of his thoughts and what he was thinking at that point in time,” the head coach said.
“Then he took a period of reflecting and we met a couple of weeks later and he told me of his decision to step away.
“The first thing I’ll say there is I’m full of admiration for this guy, as a man, a player and a leader. It takes a lot of courage to do what he’s done.”
Farrell has come under plenty of scrutiny during his career given his position as England captain, but Borthwick condemned the “online hate” he has received.
Officials also stepping away
The skipper is not the only one to have been affected by social media trolls, with referee Wayne Barnes retiring and TMO Tom Foley stepping away from international rugby following the World Cup.
“In England alone we’ve seen a player, a captain, two match officials, step away at the top of their game because of certain issues,” Borthwick added.
“There are societal issues. The online hate that is spread is not okay, it’s not right.
“For people to have to endure that, their families to have to endure that, to drive people out of the game is just appalling. I don’t have the answers to it, but I do know it’s wrong and they’re not true rugby fans that are saying this stuff.
“This is fast paced, and changing, and I don’t think any of us expected what happened at the World Cup in that area, or for it to be at that level of vitriol against certain people and certain teams. It is accelerating very fast, unfortunately.
“Clearly the England rugby team has a lot of scrutiny on it, potentially a different level. It’s not just the players, it’s the England management, the officials, and also their families.
“We want to ensure we are offering the support that’s required for them, and that will all be different for every person.”
