‘I’ve loved all of it’ – Owen Farrell after Saracens career ends in defeat to Northampton
Owen Farrell in action for Saracens last year.
Owen Farrell was left to reflect on the ups and downs of his glittering career at Saracens which came to an end when they suffered a 22-20 defeat to Northampton Saints on Friday.
As the scoreline suggests, the first Premiership semi-final was tightly contested but Saints held on for a narrow triumph at Franklin’s Gardens.
Fin Smith led the way for the home side with a 17-point contribution courtesy of five penalties and a conversion of Burger Odendaal’s try. Saracens’ points came via tries Alex Lewington and Lucio Cinti while Elliot Daly added two conversions and as many penalties.
Lengthy stint at Saracens
Farrell has played for Saracens at senior level since 2008 but will further his career at Parisian Top 14 outfit Racing 92 next season.
The 32-year-old was emotional when reflecting on his stint at the North London club which has seen them winning six Premiership and three European winners medals during that time.
“I think I had my first game here when I was 13, I remember going along to pre-season with my dad that year. I’ve spent most of my life at this club. I’ve loved it,” Farrell said.
“When you get to occasions like these and there are atmospheres like this, it’s brilliant. I’ve loved it, I’ve loved all of it.
“There have been brilliant times and tough times and I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ll probably look back on these couple of weeks more than any other in my career.
Fin Smith kicks 17 points as Northampton Saints knock out Saracens in Premiership semi-final
“I’m all right. It’s sad that this season is done and is done for a few of us here. I’ll look back at it fondly rather than it being sad times.”
Farrell defied the odds to take to the field against Northampton despite sustaining a quad injury earlier in the week. And although he did not kick at goal, he was in the thick of the action and set up Lewington’s try with a perfectly weighted grubber.
“There was a small tear there so Owen didn’t want to kick at all in the match,” said director of rugby Mark McCall.
“We weren’t sure he was going to play and we had to see if he could get through the warm-up. It was quite remarkable that he was on one leg but we were able to stay in the battle.
“It was incredible for him in his last game at Saracens that he was able to do that for that team.”
Phil Dowson not celebrating yet
Saints’ players savoured their victory with their families and the club’s fans at Franklin’s Gardens but their director of rugby, Phil Dowson, was not in a celebratory mood as he said they still have one more hurdle in the final to cross.
“We want to enjoy that because the players are not monks. It’s already quite late and Northampton doesn’t have that many late night salons! So there are limited options for them,” he said.
“Courtney Lawes said in the huddle afterwards ‘that’s great lads, a tough game against really good opposition, but the job’s not done, we want to play well at Twickenham’.”
