by New year, new beginning. Or, in the case of Owen Farrell and England rugby, most possible reforms. If the former England captain has a link with Racing 92 in Paris, as looks increasingly on the cards, it will be the most talked about Anglo-French marriage since Mary, Henry VIII’s sister, married 18 years ago age, Louis XII, the 52-year-old. years of age of the King of France, in the year 1514.
This last liaison, as it happens, lasted only three months before Louis died as a result of gout or (allegedly) his efforts in the bedroom. And they say modern rugby is bad for you. Hopefully, 32-year-old Farrell will be able to enjoy a less mundane experience in the Channel, and rediscover the missing joie de vivre that led him to quit the national squad already.
Related: Borthwick faces a challenge to lead England and the team is feeling great
Whether he stays or goes, though, it’s the Saracens midfielder who has given the English game most of January’s wake-up calls. Is this really the shape of things to come: the Premiership able to compete with the richest Top 14 clubs, even the most respected crown jewels in north London at risk of Gallic raiders? We’re only talking about the Top 14. Courtney Lawes’ sight of the ProD2 Provence team – signed by former British and Irish Lions teammate George North – provided another insight into how the oval wind is getting bigger. blowing.
If they migrate south, Farrell and Lawes will be among other old friends. Already a full XV of qualified England players who have been employed in France in the last 12 months can be selected: Henry Arundell, Jack Nowell, Christian Wade, Joe Marchant, Joe Simmonds, Dan Robson, Sam Simmonds, Zach Mercer (now at Gloucester ), Jack and Tom Willis, David Ribbans, Junior Kpoku, Harry Williams, Kieran Brookes and Jack Singleton. Had Luke Cowan-Dickie completed his proposed move to Montpellier the squad options of the day would have been even stronger.
None of the names above, however, compare to Farrell’s potential lure. Unlike Harry Kane’s move from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern Munich, it also shows that sporting fulfillment for England’s warlords no longer begins and ends at Dover. The big difference, of course, is that Kane is still free to draw for the three lions in the Euros this summer. There is no need to say goodbye to his international place to join Bayern.
For Farrell, in contrast, going abroad is a completely different game. As it stands, he has made himself available to England, citing his desire to prioritize the mental wellbeing of his family. But hang on. Let’s say he goes to France, starts feeling refreshed in his summer lounge chair and wants to join the 2025 Lions squad to be coached by his father, Andy. What then? In theory, he could still have been selected for the Lions through the Top 14 and played a series-winning role ahead of England starting 10 in that season’s Six Nations.
That’s a huge cloud of horns that situation would send around Rugby Union, especially if England are underperforming. Already union chiefs are under increased pressure after failing to convince the highly-motivated Arundell – and perhaps now Farrell too – to re-sign in England. On the one hand, it is the prerogative of every professional to go to the best place for themselves and their family. Likewise, it doesn’t look great at Twickenham when two of England’s leading talents look sharper to draw on the ciel et blanc Racing jersey. Is there a red rose on the chest that does not have the same irresistible appeal?
For now, either way, the RFU’s official line remains stark: anyone wanting to represent England must be based in England, barring exceptional circumstances. The Premier League is clearly keen to avoid the remaining uncapped and retain as much bright, happy English talent as possible. All of that is understandable. The snag is that the world has moved on. Look at cricket where English greats hardly play red – or white – ball games for their counties anymore. What about serial World Cup winners South Africa, most of whose squad is now based abroad?
With the RFU’s core funds already stretched, surely a middle ground could be found that suits all parties? Give senior squad members the option of an overseas sabbatical at some point in their careers or allow two national team wild card selections per tournament, if necessary, for non-Premiership-based players aged 30 and over senior At a stroke the RFU would be showing sympathy for the best players, rewarding its most loyal servants, helping to reduce Premiership wage bills and helping a grateful national coach.
Instead, there is only inflexibility. When someone like Farrell, who has lived in St Albans since he was a teenager, longs for a small taste of life outside an increasingly claustrophobic bubble, where is the humanity forcing him to abandon his country too? If it is a question of Pour encourager les autres to quote Voltaire (the old theater signing of French literature) but tell the next generation that they will enjoy the same freedom when they win 100 caps, simple.
Or just recall what happened after Jonny Wilkinson decided to swap Newcastle for the south of France in 2009. Wilkinson helped Toulon win three European titles and earned his latest 21 England caps while stationed alongside the Mediterranean. And captain for seven of those ex-pat tests? None other than Steve Borthwick. If the RFU want to back a world-weary Farrell and ease his impending exile, there is a reasonable precedent.
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