There is constant discussion about whether Owen Farrell would ever consider transitioning to rugby league.
According to the Mail Online, Smith has a year remaining on his contract at Harlequins but Racing are exploring the option of a buy-out to land him next season.
As the son of Wigan Warriors legend Andy Farrell, the English rugby union star has always been seen as one that got away.
In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Farrell. who is set to captain England during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, confessed that he has often pondered whether he could thrive at the highest level in the Super League.
He stated, "I've always wondered if I could do it, if I'd excel."
Additionally, he expressed his genuine affection for the sport, particularly when it comes to watching Wigan:
"I have a great passion for the game, and I thoroughly enjoy watching Wigan."
In response to these remarks, The Rugby Paper reported that Wigan Warriors have deliberately distanced themselves from the speculated, or perhaps hoped, possibility of signing Farrell through a high-value cross-code transfer.
This move by Wigan has been long-awaited by fans, and it comes as no surprise that they have made this decision.
According to the paper, "Wigan Warriors have taken steps to create distance between themselves and the rumored big-money cross-code move to bring England captain Owen Farrell back to his hometown club.
"Former Wigan Warriors player Martin Gleeson recently stirred up speculation when he discussed a potential switch between codes with Farrell during his time as part of Eddie Jones's coaching staff."
“Posh ***t” – Four rugby stars Owen Farrell can’t stand
Owen Farrell, the fly-half for England, is known for fearlessly expressing his opinions, especially when it comes to someone he holds negative sentiments towards.
#1. Dave Attwood
Former England lock Attwood has opened up on the latest RugbyPass Offload about his ongoing rivalry with Owen Farrell.
He revealed: "On the pitch, I struggle a lot with Owen Farrell. We just don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things,
“He hates me with a passion. Despite my earthy roots, he thinks I am a posh c***. He hates that. I bagged rugby league once jovially. I was saying it to take the piss kind of thing, ‘a bloody sport for the peasants’. He f**kin’ hated it."
Dave Attwood facts:
He made 157 appearances in Blue, Black and White over an eight-year period during his first spell at Bath before returning in 2022
His debut came against Newcastle Falcons at the beginning of the 2011/12 season after arriving from Gloucester, scoring four tries in his first campaign
The lock quickly established himself as a key player in the Bath pack and excelled at international level too, with 22 of his 24 England caps coming whilst at the Re
The former England international has also played for Bristol (twice), Gloucester and Toulon during his established career
#2. Ryan Wilson
The Scotland back-rower was the instigator in some tunnel argy-bargy when the players returned to the changing rooms after the warm-up back in 2018 with Farrell at the centre.
Footage of the incident shows all hell breaking loose when Farrell barged his way past a number of Scotland players to confront Wilson, who had been attempting to get inside the head of George Ford.
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.
#3. James Haskell
The pair have what we can only describe as a love-hate relationship. As legendary as the 'best mates' videos were during the 2016 tour of Australia, Farrell certainly didn't seem to be enjoying it.
#4. Faf de Klerk
Farrell and De Klerk ended up at arm’s length from each other in 2018 during their summer tour just before the 20-minute mark and the rest of the two sides quickly joined in.
The pair have since clashes on multiple occasions, including during the World Cup final a year later. Klerk is clearly someone who gets under the England skippers skin and their appears to be little love lost between the pair.
Speaking about the pair, Tom Curry said they are 'very different characters'.
