Andy Farrell linked with sensational return to Saracens

Andy Farrell has been linked with a sensational return to his former club Saracens when his Ireland contract runs out after the World Cup next year.

Farrell, who led the Lions to success in Australia last summer, switched codes from Super League giants Wigan Warriors and moved to Saracens in March 2005.

But injuries and a car crash prevented him from making his debut until the following year, and he spent three seasons with the club before retiring in April 2009 to join their coaching staff as skills coach.

He was promoted to first-team coach a year later and eventually joined up with England, but was sacked by Eddie Jones when he took over at Twickenham after the disastrous 2015 World Cup campaign.

Farrell became Ireland’s head coach when Joe Schmidt stood down after the 2019 World Cup, leading them to a Grand Slam in 2023 and retaining their Six Nations crown a year later.

But his future beyond the 2027 World Cup in Australia has been in doubt for over a year, and Midi Olympique are suggesting that he could return to StoneX when his Ireland contract runs out.

Saracens recently announced that long-serving boss Mark McCall was standing down as director of rugby after 15 trophy-laden years at the end of the season to join the board of directors and become a technical adviser. Brendan Venter, who recruited McCall in 2009, is stepping back into front-line coaching next season, but it appears to be only a stopgap measure, keeping the seat warm for Farrell once he is free after the World Cup.

Farrell recently admitted that he is loving life in Ireland but has always stopped short of committing to his future, which has perhaps encouraged Sarries to offer him a job after the World Cup.

He could link up with his son Owen, who has been tipped to join the Saracens staff when his two-year deal runs out at the end of next season.