Steve Borthwick will undoubtedly be frustrated to see another eight capped England internationals heading overseas this summer with more potentially following…
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#1. Owen Farrell to Racing 92
Racing 92 have confirmed the signing of the former England captain on a two-year contract.
The 32-year-old has won 112 caps for England and served as captain during the 2018 summer Test series in South Africa before being officially appointed as Dylan Hartley’s successor for the following year’s Six Nations.
He opted to step away from the international game in the wake of England’s third-place finish at last year’s Rugby World Cup, and his decision to move to France means Farrell will be ineligible to play for the national team due to RFU regulations which, at present, do not permit head coach Steve Borthwick to select players based abroad.
#2&3. Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam to Toulon
England internationals Sinckler and Ludlam will join Toulon on on three-year deals next season, the French club’s president Bernard Lemaitre confirmed earlier this year.
Bristol Bears tighthead prop Sinckler, 31, made the last of his 68 appearances for England at last year’s Rugby World Cup, having been omitted from Steve Borthwick’s 2024 Six Nations squad.
Northampton Saints back-row Ludlam, 28, also featured at the World Cup, claiming his 25th and final cap in the third-place play-off against Argentina. He too did not feature in the Six Nations.
“They [Kyle Sinckler, Lewis Ludlam] are two good signings who will complete our forward pack for many years,” Toulon president Bernard Lemaitre told AFP.
“They respond to the profiles we’re looking for in our recruitment, we’re trying to have higher expectations on mentality, behaviour and lifestyle of players like their impressive compatriot Dave Ribbans.”