Owen Farrell has expressed his desire to play rugby for as long as possible and remains open to potentially returning to the England team.
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The former captain will be ineligible for England for at least two years following his summer move to French club Racing 92.
Farrell, who skipped this year’s Six Nations to focus on his family’s wellbeing, insists his passion for the game remains strong.
When asked about his international future, he stated: “I’ve stepped back and there’s obviously a change happening next year [moving to France]. Then we’ll see. There’s no point in saying anything now because I don’t know how I’m going to feel later down the line.”
Although the Rugby Football Union rules prevent overseas-based players from representing England, Farrell could still be selected for the British & Irish Lions for the series in Australia next year.
When asked if he had discussed this with his father, Farrell replied: “I’ve told him: ‘Well done,’ if that counts. There’s nothing to talk about – whatever happens, happens.
“There are no decisions to be made about any of that. When it gets closer to the time, I guess things become clear or they don’t. You see how people are at that time. There is nothing to talk about there at the minute.”
The Lions have already expressed an openness to including Farrell in their roster, despite his offshore commitments.
“We don’t have a policy that closes off anyone from being selected,” assured chief executive Ben Calveley.
“If you just look at previous Lions tours, we’ve had people come on a tour who haven’t been playing for a national side.”
Scotland player was banned from Twickenham after scrap with Owen Farrell
#1. Ryan Wilson
Wilson later revealed he was banned from Twickenham following the incident.
“I remember that game, I was actually injured and after tunnel-gate, after everything that happened in the tunnel against England, I’d lined up a corporate gig at Twickenham,” he recalled to Rugby Pass in November.
“Had it all lined up, a little bit of cash, all excited, only to get a message back saying the RFU have banned you from Twickenham Stadium after everything that happened the year before.”