Owen Farrell panned in French media for latest Racing 92 performance

Owen Farrell has come under heavy criticism in the French media following Racing 92’s 27-20 home defeat to Castres at the La Défense Arena.

It’s been a difficult season for Farrell, who was previously named this season’s Top 14’s biggest flop.

The former England fly-half – who recently returned from a prolonged injury layoff – has now been singled out by Midi Olympique for a dismal performance in the Top 14 clash.

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“Disappointing since the start of the season, Owen Farrell delivered a more than worrying performance on Saturday evening. Will he ever return to his former level?” wrote Marc Duzan for the French rugby publication, describing the 33-year-old’s outing as “probably his worst performance” since joining Racing 92 last summer.

Farrell started at ten but missed four tackles and struggled to get a grip on the contest. His passing was described as “particularly slow” while his kicking lacked the precision expected of a player of his calibre. Racing’s backline failed to fire and Farrell – fairly or unfairly – has copped most of the blame.

Questions over Farrell’s ability to adapt to the demands of the Top 14 have grown louder, with Midi Olympique remarking: “Is Farrell still strong enough to play in the Top 14? Will he one day find the level that was his for a long time?”

Racing 92’s struggles this season have placed head coach Stuart Lancaster under pressure. Farrell’s mediocre form has compounded the club’s woes, with Midi Olympique noting his limited contributions due to injury and his inability to reclaim kicking duties from teammates Nolann Le Garrec and Tristan Tedder.

It’s not just the French media who have been having a go at Farrell. A borderline tackle against the Stormers last weekend in the Champions Cup also drew fire on social media platform X.

Owen Farrell Special 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/SkBaX3kI2g

— DummySwitchPod (@DummySwitchPod) January 21, 2025

In his defence Farrell isn’t the only big name overseas star to have struggled at the Parisian club. Johnny Sexton, a similar character to the Englishman, never really settled in his two seasons in Paris back in 2013-15. Dan Carter also arguably failed to live up to his billing at the club over three seasons despite a €1,500,000 a season price-tag.

With the British and Irish Lions tour on the horizon however, Farrell’s hopes of selection are very much in the air. Unless he rediscovers some decent form soon, the former Saracens star risks falling out of contention altogether.