Owen Farrell almost made cross-code switch as Super League giants were ‘in the mix’ to sign England star
Wigan Warriors were 'right in the mix' to sign Owen Farrell.
Kris Radlinski has revealed for the first time how close Owen Farrell came to switching codes with Wigan – and why he thinks it is unlikely now to happen.
Warriors’ chief executive has known the England union great all his life having been a team-mate of his dad Andy in what he terms “probably the greatest rugby side of all time”.
On the eve of Wigan’s Super League derby clash at St Helens, the full-back legend has told Planet Rugby he spoke to Farrell Jnr about the possibility of a cross-code switch as recently as last year.
Moving to Racing 92
England‘s record international points scorer has since stood down from union’s Test arena and will leave Saracens for French club Racing 92 on a two-year deal this summer.
Radlinski said: “Owen’s been part of my life for 20 years. He’s always been around our club and our training, from a young kid and I’ve always posed the question, ‘Do you ever want to play for Wigan?’
“Those most recent conversations might only have been six or seven months ago, when his future was uncertain at Saracens and he had a decision to make.
“We were right in the mix, we were right at the party. I guess that’s probably the closest we came.”
Around that time Farrell admitted he “loved” both the game of league and watching it played by his hometown Warriors.
He said: “My first love was nothing but rugby league. I always wonder if I could do it, if I’d be any good.”
Radlinski knows all about cross-code decisions having in 2001 been courted by Sir Clive Woodward, who wanted him as full-back in the team which went on to win the Rugby World Cup two years later. He eventually rejected an “astronomical” offer in order to remain with Wigan.
He and Farrell will be united in cheering on Warriors on Friday, but the former now appears resigned to the latter not playing for the club.
“Could it still happen? I probably think it’s one contract too far now,” says Radlinski. “Owen is going overseas for a couple of years.
“If you’re going to come back and play a new sport – which it would be, even though he grew up with it – it’s difficult to pick up at that stage of your career.”
Radlinski, 47, still remembers fondly his debut playing at Twickenham in front of a union crowd at the 1996 Middlesex Sevens.
“People would leave in between games and go to the car park for their refreshments and that kind of stuff,” he recalled.
“Every time we played everyone would come back and the stadium would fill back up for our games. It was awesome for our sport of rugby league for that to happen.”
Played with the best
Radlinski added: “I was lucky to be schooled in probably the greatest rugby side of all time. People who have gone on to do amazing things in both codes.
“I came in as a 17-year old and was educated by some of the best players that have ever played the game.
“Not just Martin Offiah, Shaun Edwards and Andy Farrell, but people like Scott Quinnell, Inga Tuigamala and Henry Paul, icons of the game.
“I was a young kid with bright red hair and I was training with and learning from these guys every single day.
“They were superstars who played an incredible part in my life and ultimately shaped what I am today.”
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