Saracens confirm Owen Farrell's return to English rugby

Saracens have confirmed that Owen Farrell will be returning to the club next season, as first reported by RugbyPass last week.

The club has reached an agreement with Racing 92 to terminate the final year of Farrell’s contract, paving the way for the former England captain’s return to North London this summer.

The deal was struck between the two sides earlier this month following late-stage negotiations over a transfer fee, after Farrell made it clear he wanted to leave Paris.

Farrell, 33, joined Racing on a two-year deal after the French club paid £500,000 to buy him out of his Saracens contract earlier this year. However, with injuries limiting him to just 17 appearances at La Défense Arena, both parties were open to an early exit.

Racing were initially holding out for €250,000 (£211,500), while Saracens were only prepared to offer €200,000 (£177,000), but a compromise has now been agreed.

Despite his mixed fortunes in France, Premiership interest in the stand-off remained high, with Leicester Tigers among the clubs to make approaches – although a return to Saracens always seemed like the most likely scenario.

“Saracens is my home and the opportunity to come back is one that excites me enormously,” said Farrell. “Having watched from afar this season, it is clear to see that the club has incredible potential, and I can’t wait to get back in the mix for the 25/26 season.”

Farrell was reported in the French media to be earning £685,000 a year in the French capital and will be taking a hair-cut on that figure with his return to the Gallagher Premiership and it’s tighter salary cap.

“Owen has Saracens in his DNA,” said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall. ‘His competitive spirit is woven into the fabric of this club, and we are delighted he has chosen to come home. He returns to a young group full of potential, players eager to learn, play and push for success. We know he will love being part of where this group, and this club, are headed.”

Farrell made his Saracens debut in 2008, 11 days after his 17th birthday, and amassed 256 appearances before heading for France.

He has won 112 England caps and made six Test appearances for the British and Irish Lions, although he has not been included in the squad – coached by his father Andy – for this summer’s tour of Australia.

Farrell has not played Test rugby since the 2023 World Cup, initially taking a break to prioritise his mental wellbeing, before his move abroad made him ineligible for selection.

Farrell will also be joining the Sky Sports punditry team for the Lions clash against Argentina in Dublin this weekend.

additional reporting Press Association