The big question mark around Farrell and the B&I Lions' No.10 jersey
SPOTLIGHT: Former England captain Owen Farrell played down talk of a place on next year’s British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, saying he was “busy trying to settle in” at his new club Racing 92.
The 33-year-old, who played 112 times for England and six times for the Lions, made the move to France this year after 16 years with Saracens.
That rules him out of contention for any further England caps, at least while he is playing outside the country, but he remains eligible to go Down Under if picked by Lions coach Andy Farrell – his father.
“It’s a massive thing for any British player but it’s a long way away,” Farrell told a press conference ahead of Racing’s Top 14 game against Toulon on Saturday.
“It’s not something I’m thinking about at all at the moment. I’m busy trying to settle in here and do my best for Racing.”
Farrell has made a bumpy start to life in the French capital with Racing having won two and lost three to sit tenth out of 14 in the standings.
He has started all five matches but has been a shadow of the imposing flyhalf who drove Saracens to six English Premiership titles and three European Champions Cup wins.
In last Saturday’s win against bottom-side Vannes, Farrell took a back seat to France scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec who conducted operations behind the scrum and also took the place kicks, converting an impressive five out of five.
“I don’t think anybody’s going to come into a new club and be overpowering, speak too much,” said Farrell who admitted he was carrying a “little knock” which had limited his goal-kicking.
“It’s been nice for me to find my way and listen a lot and get to understand what the club is about, and French rugby and French culture.
“I’ve enjoyed it but it feels like we’re just getting started, as a team, not just personally.
“We’ve a long way to go, a lot of potential and it’s about expanding that as quickly as possible. And that reflects how I feel as well.”
Farrell laughed when asked if he was missing the home delights of England.
“Not yet, I’ve only just got here!
“I’m enjoying how different it is, the French way of life, it’s nice.”
With his children having started at French schools, Farrell says the family is “settling in” to the Parisian routine.
“It’s good,” he said. “It’s a great experience for us, really different. We want that.
“I’ve got a long way to go with the language. I’m enjoying trying to learn it but I still need to make a big effort.”
