Saracens believe they found the ‘right person’ to replace Owen Farrell
Owen Farrell has signed a two-year deal with Racing 92.
Saracens captain Owen Farrell is set to leave a huge void to fill in the Premiership club’s squad next season, but Mark McCall believes that they have found the “right person” to replace him.
Farrell has signed with French Top 14 side Racing 92 ahead of the 2024/25 season, leaving his boyhood club, which he has represented since 2008.
This has left Saracens needing to sign a fly-half ahead of the new season, a particularly difficult task considering Farrell’s quality and leadership capabilities.
Owen Farrell’s replacement?
However, director of rugby McCall believes that they have found the right person, with an official announcement imminent.
“It has been a fascinating project trying to find the right person,” McCall said ahead of Showdown 4 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“We wanted to look for someone that we believed had the potential and the personality to be part of this team for a while. We think we have found the right person.”
McCall did not reveal who that signing would be, understandably so, as he was speaking ahead of Farrell’s 250th appearance for Saracens. However, a host of names have been linked to the role.
Italy fly-half Paolo Garbisi was one of those who was heavily linked with the Premiership side once rumours of Farrell’s departure started to circulate, but the Azzurri star made a mid-season switch to Toulon from Montpellier during the Six Nations. Paddy Jackson was briefly linked with filling the void before he re-signed with Lyon in the Top 14.
Adam Hastings and Callum Sheedy were both mentioned as well but are primed for returns to Scotland and Wales, respectively.
Orlando Bailey is another name that has done the rounds as he is reportedly being allowed to depart Bath at the end of the season, while the Crusaders’ Fergus Burke has also been mentioned.
Newcastle Falcons youngster Louie Johnson is a player who has reportedly caught the eye of the Saracens’ coaching staff and could well follow clubmate Phil Brantingham in joining the Londoners.
Legacy
“Regardless of what happens over the next 10 weeks, Farrell’s legacy is firmly established here,” McCall added.
“He’s done everything and achieved everything here. And to go and explore the opportunity that he is in France and experience something different with his family, I think is a great thing to do at this stage of his career.”
