Stuart Lancaster, the former head coach of England, expressed to Sky Sports that Owen Farrell is capable of returning to play for the national team and believes he "has the 2027 World Cup in him."
Lancaster played a key role in the recent acquisition of Owen Farrell by Racing 92, a French Top 14 team, where he currently holds the position of head coach.
"(I) don't know if it does…It depends on what he and Steve (Borthwick) thinks," Lancaster said.
"He's signed for two years so that takes him up to 2026. Johnny Sexton played for Ireland and Leinster until he was 38, Owen is 32. So he's definitely got 2027 in him for sure. I would never say never, Owen won't and why should he?
"Owen had a big part to play in the decision making about coming here. Things didn't go well at the Rugby World Cup (for him) and for me the same thing happened in 2015 and the best thing I did was to go to Ireland.
"I hope he ends up back in England as a player or a coach, but a couple of years here will do good just like for Jonny Wilkinson when he went to Toulon."
He added: "I've been through a similar thing, the World Cup didn't go well in 2015. My children were 15 and 16 at time, my wife and my parents paid the price as well as me.
"I know what it feels like and Owen went through a really tough time at the last World Cup and people seem to forget that when the narrative is turned all the good things you've done in the past are forgotten and everything you've done is now looked at in a negative slant.
"I made a decision to go to Ireland. You're appreciated and welcome and that's exactly how Racing feel about Owen. We will embrace his family and he will be made welcome."
Five players Steve Borthwick should drop – and who should start against Ireland
#1. Ollie Lawrence
Telegraph 4/10: "Perhaps unsurprisingly was not on the same page as Ford and Slade in both attack and defence in their first game together. Badly fell off a tackle on Redpath that led to Scotland’s third try."
Planet Rugby 4/10: "Barely saw him in an attacking sense. A few carries, one bad pass, one dropped ball – although that was George Ford’s fault – but not the form we’ve seen in the Premiership."
RUCK 5/10: "Not what the Bath centre would have wanted upon his return from injury. The powerhouse came alive with some clattering hits, yet threw a wayward pass into touch at 76 minutes that summed up his afternoon. So much more was wanted from England fans, who were excited to see him comeback."
Replacement: Manu Tuilagi
#2. Danny Care
Rugby Pass 5/10: "Taking over from the injured Alex Mitchell, he began busily before a 16th-minute overcooked touch finder took pep out of England’s early stride. Deteriorated from there, his last act on 44 seeing him watch on in despair as van der Merwe collected Finn Russell’s crosskick to compete his hat-trick."
Telegraph 4/10: "Sharp service for the most part, but was unable to control the game with the boot, kicking out on the full and was continually harassed with his box kicking."
RUCK 5/10: "Unfortunate performance from Danny Care, as the hectic, misshapen approach to proceedings asked questions of the Harlequin. Misplaced a handful of kicks, in what was an underwhelming effort from the boot. Unable to track across after Finn Russell found van der Merwe with a cross-field kick, with the wing completing his hat-trick."
Planet Rugby 4/10: "Several levels below Alex Mitchell. The lack of length from box-kicks put England under pressure, especially early in the second half, while his decision-making from the base was atrocious. "
Replacement: Ben Spencer
#3. George Furbank
Telegraph 5/10: "The try appeared to provide instant vindication for Borthwick’s bold selection, however his spill resulted in Van der Merwe’s second try. Some promising glimpses and some ghastly errors."
Replacement: Freddie Steward
#4. Ethan Roots
Rugby Pass 5/10: "Carried and was physical in the early stages when England were on top on the scoreboard, but he soon fell out of the reckoning. Gave Russell penalty points for an offence on 35 minutes and he was hooked six minutes into the second period."
Telegraph 5/10: "Aside from one big hand-off was fairly quiet and missed a few tackles. Expect George Martin to come into the equation for the Ireland game."
RUCK 5.5/10: "Offside at the half hour mark, as England were sometimes over eager in their do-or-die blitz defence. Missed the ball in the air, as England lost the 43rd minute line-out, in the build up to van Der merwe 3rd try. Off for George Martin (47’)"
Replacement: Chandler Cunningham-South
#5. Elliot Daly
Planet Rugby 5/10: "Nice work for the opening try but nothing much else really stood out. Place should be under threat after mediocre efforts in the first three rounds."
Replacement: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
