Owen Farrell forced to step down one game after injury return

Thursday, 31 March 2022 at 20:54

byRugby Rucker

England captain Owen Farrell has been ruled out of Saracens' trip to Sale after failing to recover from a concussion suffered during last weekend's win over Bristol.

The England captain only returned from a fourth-month injury lay-off last weekend inspired Saracens to a narrow win over Bristol.

However, Sarries have now revealed that he suffered a head injury late on and has not passed return-to-play rules.

England hooker Jamie George will step up to captain Saracens at Sale instead.

It is the latest setback for Farrell who has endured a stop-start season.

SALE v SARACENS TEAMS:

SALE SHARKS: L James; Roebuck, S James, Van Rensburg, Reed; R Du Preez, De Klerk; Rodd, Ashman, Oosthuizen, Wiese, De Jager, Ross (capt), B Curry, D Du Preez

Replacements: Van der Merwe, McIntyre, Schonert, JP Du Preez, Taylor, Quirke, Tuilagi, Metcalf

SARACENS: Daly; Maitland, Lozowski, Tompkins, Malins, Goode, A Davies; Mawi, George (capt), Koch, Isiekwe, Swinson, Itoje, Earl, Vunipola

Replacements: Woolstencroft, Barrington, Clarey, McFarland, Christie, De Haas, Taylor, Lewington

Kick-off: 7.45pm Referee: Luke Pearce

Jonny Wilkinson picks his England backline with Farrell getting the nod

Below is the backline Wilkinson would pick to get England scoring again.

#BACK-THREE:

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
14. Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons)
11. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)

Adam Radwan of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#CENTRES:

13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens)

Wilkinson on Farrell: “He gets excited about the unknown. I couldn't stand it. Had someone said to me ‘you can have everything you want, sign here, but you don't get to play any more’, I would have signed it and given up all that passion and enjoyment. Owen would look at that contract, screw it up and call it a disgrace. He wants to go out there and see what he is capable of.”

Owen Farrell (c) of the Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK

#HALFBACKS:

10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Marcus Smith of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

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