'Great move': How English media reacted to Owen Farrell's Racing 92 deal

French club Racing 92 have confirmed England fly-half Owen Farrell will join them next season just two weeks after a public statement shot down the potential move.

The two-year deal for the 32-year-old will see the England captain leave Saracens after 15 seasons where he has played since he was 17 years old.

Farrell, who has stood down from England duties and will already miss the Six Nations in order to prioritise his mental well-being, will become ineligible for international selection due to Rugby Football Union rules.

It could spell the end of his 112-cap England career with no guarantees that Farrell will return to England rugby. However, he could still represent the British & Irish Lions in 2025 while contracted with Racing.

The news was met with praise by UK’s rugby media with rugby union correspondent Chris Foy of the Daily Mail describing the deal as a “great move” for the last phase of his career.

Owen Farrell to Racing 92 confirmed (after their non-denial statement a couple of weeks ago convinced some people there was nothing in it). Good luck to him in Paris. Great move and last phase of his playing career.

— Chris Foy (@FoyChris) January 22, 2024

RugbyPass writer Chris Jones shot down the traitorous narrative around the deal, claiming it was purely a business decision by a professional athlete that came down to numbers at the end of the day.

Really don’t get the “Owen Farrell turns his back on English rugby “ attitude. The guy is a professional sportsman who’s been given a £1m a year deal to ply his trade elsewhere. That’s it @Saracens @EnglandRugby

— chris jones (@chrisjonespress) January 22, 2024

Rugby commentator Nick Mullins said it was “hard to imagine” the flyhalf turning out for England again with Farrell’s age being a factor at the end of the deal.

Whilst he could also re-sign in France or abroad elsewhere at the conclusion, he will be 34 when he is a free agent again should he return to England.

Owen Farrell to Racing. Confirmed. Three-year deal. And who can blame him? Hard to imagine he’ll play for England again. Goes out as their greatest ever gatherer of Test points.

— Nick Mullins (@andNickMullins) January 22, 2024

The reaction from fans was equally supportive of Farrell, rugby player Ollie Stedman believed Farrell doesn’t get the respect he deserves as one of England’s greatest players, also claiming “England rugby is all but dead” following the decision.

Fair play Owen Farrell

English rugby is all but dead. He gets nowhere near the respect he deserves as one of our greatest ever players

Go cash in, in the best league in the world

Bravo https://t.co/PkVf6KijJw

— Ollie Stedman (@oliverstedman) January 22, 2024

A statement by Racing 92 confirming the deal reads: “Racing 92 formalizes the signing of Owen FARRELL (32 years old) within its professional men’s team. The English international player is committed to 2 sporting seasons and will join the Ciel et Blanc squad from July 1, 2024.”