Stuart Lancaster confident that Owen Farrell will change French ‘perception’ of him

Racing 92 boss Stuart Lancaster is confident that Owen Farrell will be successful in the Top 14 and change perceptions about his playing style.

Lancaster, who handed the fly-half his England debut back in 2012, spoke highly of the Saracens star.

Racing 92 confirmed the signing of Farrell on a two-year deal this week, with the 32-year-old set to make the move to Paris ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Owen Farrell’s pedigree

Farrell has spent his entire career at Saracens, outside of a short loan with Bedford, but has worked closely with Lancaster in the past in the England youth and Test set-up.

Speaking of his new signing in a press conference this week, Lancaster hailed Farrell’s achievements to date and has backed the Englishman to shine in France.

“I gave him his first Test cap, it was also my first match in charge of England,” Lancaster told reporters at a press conference.

“But I knew him from before when I was in youth management, and Owen played with the U20s. I coached him for four years, I saw him evolve.

“I then faced him when I was at Leinster. I even faced him in a European Cup final, and Saracens won. This is a boy who won nine titles for his club, three Champions Cups, six Premierships. He won Grand Slams with England, played in a World Cup final. He will bring his considerable experience.”

The side has had hugely successful internationals like Johnny Sexton, Finn Russell, Dan Carter and Pat Lambie, who featured at number 10 and thrived at the French outfit.

Despite his success with club and country, many fans and pundits in France are not convinced that Farrell will fit in with Racing 92’s expansive and attractive style of play.

However, Lancaster believes that Farrell will shake off his perceptions of him and that he has already proven that he can play a more expansive game, having done so with Saracens recently.

“I see that in France there is a perception of the Saracens game and what Owen can do and that they are very structured, but last year Saracens had the best attack in the Premiership,” the head coach added.

“In fact, they decided to change after losing the previous final against Leicester Tigers, in a very tactical match, with a lot of kicking. And in this transformation, Owen played a key role. I am convinced that it can fit with the game as I would like it to be developed here at Racing.”

Farrell is eager to challenge himself

The Racing 92 boss added: “It’s a big decision for him to leave England, to leave the club of which he is captain; he is excited by this challenge; he wanted this challenge.

“He is not coming to Racing to be the captain or the coach, just to be the player he is, a part of a team which already has an identity with the Racingmen like Henry Chavancy and all those trained at the club.”

Meanwhile, Farrell has been named as Saracens’ skipper for this weekend’s Premiership clash against Exeter Chiefs.

READ MORE: Premiership predictions: George Chuter backs home teams and England snubs to shine