Owen Farrell and Siya Kolisi to team up in France
England captain Owen Farrell and Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi will become teammates at French club Racing 92 next season.
It has been confirmed that Owen Farrell signed two-year playing contract to join Racing 92 from English giants Saracens, with the deal set to come into effect later this year.
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The 32-year-old Farrell will miss the looming 2024 Six Nations as he takes a mental health break from the international game, having captained his country at the World Cup.
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Earlier this month, French media had linked Farrell with a move to the Paris-based outfit, coached by former England boss Stuart Lancaster. And on earlier this week, the French club confirmed its new acquisition.
“Racing 92 confirm the signature of Owen Farrell to their professional men’s team,” Racing said.
“The international English player has signed for two seasons and will join the squad on July 1, 2024.”
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The decision is likely to make Farrell unavailable for England as coach Steve Borthwick is unable to select players based abroad.
Last week Borthwick urged Farrell, England’s leading scorer, to make the right move for himself.
Farrell’s father, Andy, will coach the British and Irish Lions during next year’s tour of Australia.
“Will a player of Owen’s calibre be missed if he chooses to play outside of England? Yes, of course,” Borthwick said last Wednesday.
“Do I want him in some point in the future to come back (to play for England)? Yes.”
“But I also want him to do what’s right for him and his family and have the experiences and the memories that he wants to make,” he added.
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WILL SIYA KOLISI AND OWEN FARRELL BE FRENEMIES?
