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England coach Steve Borthwick has admitted he would have liked Owen Farrell to still be in contention for international rugby, but that he doesn’t begrudge him his choice to step away from the test arena.
Farrell hasn’t played for England since he captained the side in the 2023 Rugby World Cup Bronze Medal Match.
He stepped down from internationals before the following Six Nations for personal reasons, and then moved to Parisan side Racing 92, a move that ruled out his selection due to the Rugby Football Union’s rule banning overseas players from being selected.
ENGLANDS’S BIGGEST SUPPORTER
The 33-year-old has endured a mixed first season in France, and has been hampered by an adductor injury, leading to suggestions that he may return to the Gallagher Premiership and England selection.
“Owen’s a brilliant player and an outstanding captain, and somebody who cares so much and everybody could see that in him,” Borthwick told The High Performance Podcast.
“I would have loved Owen Farrell to continue playing for England. It was a decision he and his family, and those close to him decided to make and I back his decision.
“It was disappointing because I wanted him to continue playing for England, but I will always be supportive of what the players decide.
“He watches every game of England and is one of their biggest supporters. Owen made a decision and decided to go and play overseas, and I don’t think there would be an English fan who would begrudge Owen that after everything he did for English rugby.”
NEW FACES
During the hour-long show Borthwick reminisced about their time playing together at Saracens, and how the 18-year-old Farrell had no issue ordering the then 34-year-old Borthwick and other senior players about the training field.
Farrell is still being linked with the Lions tour to Australia. At the same time Borthwick will lead England against a France XV at Allianz Stadium, before two matches in Argentina, and a test against the USA Eagles in Washington DC.
Borthwick is aiming to use those four matches to blood some new faces and deepen his squad that finished second in the Six Nations.
He added, “if we get as many players on the Lions plane as I want, it means there's an opportunity for more players in an England shirt this summer to step forward, to carry on the development of team. That's exciting.”