England boss Steve Borthwick makes his feeling clear on Owen Farrell return

Monday, 24 March 2025 at 08:24

byRugby Rucker

Steve Borthwick remains confident that Owen Farrell will eventually pull on an England shirt again—despite the fly-half being unavailable for the next two years.

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Farrell, 32, sealed a two-year deal with a French Top 14 club starting last July, marking the end of an era at Saracens, where he had been a mainstay since making his debut as a 17-year-old.

Back in November, he stepped away from international duty to focus on his mental health, relinquishing the England captaincy in the process.

Borthwick made no secret of his admiration for the playmaker, saying:

"The first thing I’ll say is that I’m full of admiration for this guy, as a man, a player and a leader. It takes a lot of courage to do what he’s done."

The England boss also pointed to wider issues in the game, adding: "In England alone, we’ve seen a player—the captain—and two match officials step away at the top of their game because of certain issues. There are societal issues here. The online hate that is spread is not OK, it’s not right."

When pressed on whether Farrell would return to the Test arena, Borthwick said: "I am really hopeful he does. This is one of England’s greatest-ever players, greatest-ever captains. I’ve made it really clear there is no pressure on him—that’s his decision, at the time that’s right for him."

And while England will have to adapt without their talisman for now, Borthwick insists Farrell’s influence remains: "Any team in the world would miss an Owen Farrell, but the work he has done to help create a foundation—to help reset the England team and move forward,"

15 England Stars Make Our Lions Squad for Australia Tour

With the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour just around the corner, speculation is ramping up about who will get the nod for the three-Test series against Australia.

Andy Farrell will announce his squad live from the O2 Arena in London on May 8th, 2025, and we’ve taken a stab at selecting the best possible 36-man squad for the tour.

OUR 2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD

Here’s a breakdown of who makes the cut, with 15 England stars included in our strongest lineup.

Props

Andrew Porter (Ireland)

Ellis Genge (England) – The 'Baby Rhino' brings his trademark aggression and scrummaging power.

Pierre Schoemann (Scotland)

Kyle Sinckler (England) – A veteran of the 2021 tour, Sinckler’s experience will be vital.

Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

Will Stuart (England) – The powerful tighthead earns his spot after a consistent season.

Hookers

Dan Sheehan (Ireland) – The standout Irish hooker is almost a certainty.

Dewi Lake (Wales)

Jamie George (England) – Lions experience and leadership make him a vital inclusion.

Locks

Maro Itoje (England) – One of the first names on the team sheet.

Joe McCarthy (Ireland) – The young enforcer could be a game-changer.

Ollie Chessum (England) – A rising star, providing dynamism and lineout excellence.

Dafydd Jenkins (Wales)

Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

George Martin (England) – Physicality and work rate give him the edge.

Back Row

Josh van der Flier (Ireland) – World-class breakdown presence.

Ben Curry (England) – Edges into contention with his relentless tackling and breakdown work.

Tom Curry (England) – A Lions veteran whose pedigree speaks for itself.

Caelan Doris (Ireland) – A guaranteed starter.

Ben Earl (England) – One of the most explosive players in the Premiership this season.

Jack Willis (England) – His form for Toulouse has been outstanding.

Scrum-halves

Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)

Alex Mitchell (England) – Slick distribution and speed make him a real threat.

Ben White (Scotland)

Out-halves

Finn Russell (Scotland) – The magician with the golden touch.

Fin Smith (England) – England’s rising star earns his place.

Sam Prendergast (Ireland) – Future Irish fly-half maestro.

Centres

Bundee Aki (Ireland) – A wrecking ball in midfield.

Huw Jones (Scotland)

Owen Farrell (England) – His experience and leadership could prove invaluable.

Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)

Back Three

Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – A try-scoring machine.

Tommy Freeman (England) – Versatility and pace make him an asset.

James Lowe (Ireland)

Darcy Graham (Scotland) – Electric feet and finishing ability.

Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) – Provides utility value and composure.

Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – Almost certain to be the starting fullback.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) – The young speedster could light up the tour.

Why These England Stars Make the Cut

After reviewing the squad, 15 England players make the squad, not just eight as initially suggested. Here’s a closer look at those making the journey to Australia:

Ellis Genge – Loosehead prop with aggression and power.
Kyle Sinckler – Experienced tighthead who thrives on the big stage.
Will Stuart – Strong scrummager who adds depth at tighthead.
Jamie George – Experienced hooker with Lions pedigree.
Maro Itoje – An automatic selection with his world-class performances.
Ollie Chessum – Dynamic and athletic, perfect for the Lions.
George Martin – Physical and uncompromising in defence.
Ben Curry – Relentless tackler and breakdown specialist.
Tom Curry – Established Lions veteran with proven class.
Ben Earl – Explosive ball carrier and Premiership standout.
Alex Mitchell – Offers tempo and flair at scrum-half.
Fin Smith – The young playmaker has shown composure beyond his years.
Owen Farrell – His leadership and ability to control a game are unmatched.
Tommy Freeman – A versatile back three option with pace and power.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – The electric winger who has lit up the Premiership.

Quiz: Name these 10 retro British & Irish Lions rugby players

Rugby history runs deep, and the British & Irish Lions have produced some of the most iconic players to ever grace the pitch. But can you spot a Lions legend from a lineup?

Test your knowledge with this quiz! For each question, we’ll give you three possible answers—only one is correct.

Think you’ve got what it takes to ace this retro challenge? Let’s find out!