‘The abuse has taken its toll’ – Brian O’Driscoll believes Owen Farrell is looking to ‘escape’ English rugby

Former Ireland captain and centre Brian O’Driscoll has opened up about Saracens and England playmaker Owen Farrell’s reported move to Racing 92 at the end of the season.

It was reported in the French media last week that the Red Rose captain is closing in on a two-year deal with the Top 14 heavyweights.

Racing responded with a statement issued on their club website denying that a deal had been done, but crucially did not deny that talks were happening.

If Farrell joins the Parisian outfit, it will end his 16-year stint at Saracens and it would also make him ineligible for international selection.

Stalwart for England

The 32-year-old, who is comfortable at fly-half or inside centre, is England’s leading points-scorer and captained them to a third-place finish during last year’s Rugby World Cup in France.

However, he was suspended for the Red Rose’s first two matches at the global showpiece – against Argentina and Japan – following a dangerous tackle on Wales flanker Taine Basham during a warm-up clash.

Initially, Farrell’s red card was downgraded to yellow by an independent panel before it was reinstated following an appeal from World Rugby. The saga led to him receiving plenty of criticism ahead of England’s World Cup campaign.

Upon his return to Saracens after the World Cup, Farrell informed England head coach Steve Borthwick that he would not be available for selection during the upcoming Six Nations in order to prioritise his and his family’s mental wellbeing.

With former England boss Stuart Lancaster being the new head coach at Racing 92, O’Driscoll feels the opportunity to break free from intense media scrutiny which Farrell faces in the UK is the reason why he is set to tackle a new challenge in France.

“Stuart Lancaster, if it is Racing 92, obviously they’ve got unfinished business,” O’Driscoll said on TNT Sports, where works as a pundit. “[It] didn’t quite work out in 2015 maybe the way he would have hoped and we all know how Stuart has gone on with Leinster and had a good bit of success and really developed as a coach.

“He’s got young kids, maybe he just needs a break away from it. Not that he wants to re-find love for the game but reading between the lines, I think the abuse that he’s taken over the course of the last 18 months has really taken its toll.

“Maybe it feels as though it’s an opportunity to escape that for a while, live in another city and have a great time with his with his young family.

“The other thing as well as this one doesn’t feel like it’s as financially motivated move. He’s paid very well here in the UK and does well internationally.

“What he’s going to make over there won’t be significantly higher than what he makes here you wouldn’t imagine, comparatively to other players that can go and double their salary over in France.

“So this one feels as though it might be more of a move that will work out for him and his family and from a rugby point of view just to change things up.”

Could be a great signing for Racing 92

England centre Emily Scarratt agrees with O’Driscoll’s assertion and feels adding Farrell to their squad could help Racing 92, who are currently sitting pretty at the summit of the Top 14 table, lift the Champions Cup as winners for the first time in their history.

They finished as runners-up in the prestigious tournament in 2016, 2018 and 2020, but have never lifted the trophy.

“He’s a proven winner of big trophies,” she said. “Obviously the Premiership with Saracens and European titles with Saracens.

“It’s not just the quality of player that he is but the experience that he will bring in those clutch moments, in those weeks leading into semi-finals and finals and everything that he can bring, provided you can learn the language pretty quickly.”

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