Owen Farrell admitted he was still affected by social media backlash during the Rugby World Cup, despite ditching his accounts at the time.
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The ex-England skipper faced harsh criticism during the tournament, prompting his decision to take a break from international rugby in November to safeguard his and his family’s mental well-being.
“I don’t really try to look too much into it and obviously it’s hard to get away from nowadays,” Farrell said.
You kind of feel it at times, but you’d be wrong to entertain it too much because anyone’s opinion I respect or anyone who I think of or anyone I know, to be honest, I wouldn’t see them going into comments sections and writing stuff.
“My thoughts would be why would I think about it too much? But you do get a sense of it. I deleted social media for the whole of the World Cup. You still feel it’s there, but the one thing that stays constant is you try to be your best.”
He added: “The World Cup was difficult at times, but I really enjoyed the playing side of it and the being involved side,” Farrell said. “I was trying to get back to enjoying my rugby, loving what I’m doing, and I’m enjoying it now.
“It’s never one thing why you come to a decision. Normally it’s a lot of things which come together which make those decisions.
“I thought it would be best for me and my family, there’s a change happening next year off the back of it. I’ve done that because I think it will be good for me and I hope that will give me the space to get back to enjoying what I’m doing.”
The Telegraph ranked England’s five worst players in 2024 so far
England wrapped up their 2024 Six Nations campaign on a high note with impressive performances against Ireland and France in the final rounds.
#5. Alex Coles – 6/10
Coles is a member of the Premiership outfit Northampton Saints, a club he has been associated with since the age of 13. His journey with the Saints began when he joined their senior academy in the summer of 2017, eventually making his senior debut in November of the following year.
With versatility spanning across the second and back rows, Coles has represented his country from U16 level all the way through to U20, featuring prominently in the U20 Six Nations and the World Rugby U20 Championship.
His impressive performances earned him a call-up to the England senior Men’s squad ahead of the 2022 Autumn Nations Series, where he marked his debut in their narrow 30-29 defeat against Argentina.
They wrote: “A cumulative 15 minutes of action, but it is telling that England opted for no lock replacement in their final two matches.”
RUCK RATING: 6.25/10