OWEN FARRELL SEALS PREMIERSHIP RETURN AFTER ‘FLOPPED’ RACING 92 STINT AS SARACENS AGREE CUT-PRICE DEAL – REPORT

Former England captain Owen Farrell returns to Saracens with ‘immediate effect’ after just one season with Top 14 club Racing 92.

According to reports, the French club were demanding a mammoth €500,000 fee from Saracens to release the three-time British and Irish Lion from his contract.

However, the Premiership club has seemingly negotiated a cut in the fee that has paved the way for Farrell to return to Saracens on a five-year deal.

Owen Farrell returns

According to a report by Telegraph Sports, Saracens are to pay a transfer fee of about €200,000 (£169,250), a significantly lower fee than the €500,000 that the French club wanted.

Farrell has reportedly signed a five-year deal upon his return as a player-coach which will allow the 33-year-old to play for a further two seasons at least before hanging up his boots and joining the coaching staff permanently.

The England legend is yet another failed high-profile signing at Racing 92, following Siya Kolisi, who also lasted just one season in Paris before returning to South Africa.

Farrell’s time in the Top 14 was significantly hampered by injury and the mid-season departure of head coach Stuart Lancaster is thought to have further influenced his decision to return to England.

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Prior to the move to France, Farrell put himself out of contention for England taking a break from the international game following the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

While he is now eligible to be select for his country again, he may well feature for the British and Irish Lions after his father and head coach Andy Farrell confirmed that there were still spots open in the squad to tour Australia.

“He was in the conversation, obviously,” Lions boss Farrell said of Owen at the press conference after the squad announcement.

“He is an experienced player like that going for his fourth tour, he’d cover all bases, that’s for sure with the leadership qualities and all that.

“But we got to a point where [we had to make a call], like with a few other players as well, Owen is still finding his way back to full fitness.

“There are 38 picked, which leaves a couple of spots open for us during the track if and where needed, Owen like a few would be in that bracket.”

READ MORE: Owen Farrell and Kyle Sinckler secure new jobs ahead of Lions tour

2025-06-13T08:37:41Z