Owen Farrell’s links to Racing 92 came as ‘a shock’ to Jamie George
Jamie George and Owen Farrell in action for England during last year's Rugby World Cup in France.
After a glittering 16-year career as a player for Premiership champions Saracens, Owen Farrell has the right to leave the club on his own terms.
That is the word from the 32-year-old playmaker’s Sarries and England team-mate Jamie George, after it was reported recently that Farrell held talks with Racing 92 over a possible move to the Top 14 heavyweights.
Racing 92 move would end his Test career
If Farrell makes the move to the Parisian outfit – which comes after he informed England head coach Steve Borthwick he would not be available for selection for the Six Nations in order to prioritise his and his family’s mental wellbeing – he will be ineligible for international selection.
George is one of the leading candidates to replace Farrell as England captain and while he hopes his team-mate at club and international level remains at Saracens, he said any move would have Sarries’ blessing.
“The news was as much a shock to us as it was to everyone. It’s all speculation at the minute so I don’t know any more,” George told the PA news agency.
“Like when he decided to take a step back from international rugby, for me what Owen is doing is prioritising himself and his family.
“He’s a very intense guy and I don’t blame him for stepping back from the international game and out of the spotlight for a little bit.
“If he believes that going abroad is the best thing for him and his family, I would be very supportive of that.
“Obviously he would be a very big loss to everyone at Saracens because of the player and character he is, but there’s no guarantee that he is going.
“He’s given so much to the club, so much to the game and so must to English rugby as a whole.
“He deserves to make his own decision and whatever he decides to do he has the full support of everyone at the club.”
George is amongst the favourites – alongside George Ford and Ellis Genge – to skipper England in their Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome on February 3.
Although he has not skippered England yet, George, who is his country’s first choice hooker, has previously captained Saracens and the British & Irish Lions.
Flattered by captaincy links
“I’m hugely flattered to be in the conversation,” said George, who is set to return to action after recovering from a neck injury in time for Saracens’ clash with Bordeaux-Begles at the Stade Chaban-Delmas on Sunday.
“Obviously I’ve played with Owen my entire life so captaincy is something that has always fallen to him, and rightly so because he’s incredible.
“I have led teams before so it is something that I would really embrace and really enjoy.
“But regardless of who it’s given to, they will have my full support. I don’t see it changing who I am or how I am in and around camp, regardless.”
