Owen Farrell has made feelings clear on England squad after making himself unavailable

Owen Farrell appears to be expecting big things from England ahead of this year’s summer series against Japan and New Zealand, as he prepares to watch the action from a distance.

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The 32-year-old announced after the Rugby World Cup that he would be stepping back from international duty to protect his and his family’s mental health.

Farrell has since confirmed a more permanent hiatus by signing a two-year deal with Top 14 powerhouses Racing 92.

Despite his absence, Farrell remains confident that England will thrive. Following the Rugby World Cup semi-final defeat to South Africa, he expressed his belief in Steve Borthwick’s squad, stating they are fully capable of achieving success in the coming years.

England will play in Tokyo on June 22, marking former coach Eddie Jones’ first game in his second tenure leading Japan. Borthwick’s team will then face the All Blacks in two tests in New Zealand: in Dunedin on July 6 and Auckland on July 13.

“I am massively proud of how we have built, the support has built over the World Cup and that performance shows how proud we are to be English and to wear this shirt,” said Farrell.

“I think we have made a start of going forward and there is a lot to come from this group.”

There is one South Africa player that Owen Farrell absolutely hates

England’s fly-half Owen Farrell fearlessly expresses his strong opinions, especially when they concern individuals he’s not particularly fond of, reflecting his passionate and outspoken personality.

#1. Dave Attwood

Former England lock Attwood has opened up on the latest RugbyPass Offload about his ongoing rivalry with Owen Farrell.

He revealed: “On the pitch, I struggle a lot with Owen Farrell. We just don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things,

“He hates me with a passion. Despite my earthy roots, he thinks I am a posh c***. He hates that. I bagged rugby league once jovially. I was saying it to take the piss kind of thing, ‘a bloody sport for the peasants’. He f**kin’ hated it.”

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Dave Attwood facts:

• He made 157 appearances in Blue, Black and White over an eight-year period during his first spell at Bath before returning in 2022
• His debut came against Newcastle Falcons at the beginning of the 2011/12 season after arriving from Gloucester, scoring four tries in his first campaign
• The lock quickly established himself as a key player in the Bath pack and excelled at international level too, with 22 of his 24 England caps coming whilst at the Re
• The former England international has also played for Bristol (twice), Gloucester and Toulon during his established career

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