- Owen Farrell has had a frustrating first season with French giants Racing 92
- The former England captain has been heavily linked with a Premiership return
- If an English club signs him, they would need to pay compensation to Farrell
Owen Farrell’s frustrating debut season in France has put Gallagher Premiership clubs on red alert after the former England captain was heavily linked with a return to England.
In January last year, Parisian big spenders Racing 92 confirmed Farrell’s signing on a two-year deal from Saracens – the club for whom he had previously spent his entire career.
Prior to his French move being announced, Farrell had stepped away from international rugby to prioritise his mental wellbeing.
Farrell, now 33, has had a tough first campaign in France with Racing. He has suffered a number of different injury problems – he is currently struggling with concussion – and mid-season saw his club fire boss Stuart Lancaster.
It was former England head coach Lancaster who signed Farrell for Racing after the two worked previously together at Test level.
Racing are currently 10th in the TOP14 and while the threat of relegation which briefly worried them has now disappeared, there can be no doubt they have had a disappointing season.
Owen Farrell has been linked with a Racing 92 departure after just one season in France
Former England captain Farrell moved to Racing 92 for the start of the 2024-25 season
Farrell previously starred for Saracens alongside winning over 100 caps for England
On Monday, respected French sports newspaper L’Equipe reported that Farrell has told Racing he wants to leave before the end of his current contract.
Should that materialise, any potential new club would have to pay Racing compensation to secure Farrell’s signature given he has a year left on his existing contract. An early departure from Paris, however, cannot be ruled out.
Racing president Jacky Lorenzetti has previous for removing big-name players from his team if they weren’t happy or not performing, having done so with South Africa’s iconic double World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi.
Lorenzetti said earlier this season that Farrell had played ‘at the speed of a snail going backwards’ for his team.
Given his love for Saracens, the club with whom he won multiple Premiership and European trophies, Farrell’s likely preferred destination should he return to England would be North London.
However, Leicester Tigers desperately need a new fly-half and are monitoring Farrell’s situation with severe interest with the 2025/26 campaign in mind.
Big-spending Bristol could also be a potential destination.
Farrell’s disappointing season with Racing meant he missed out on selection for this summer’s British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, a team coached by his father Andy.
Should Farrell return to the Premiership, it could also open up the possibility of him playing for England once again.
English rugby rules state players must be employed by a Premiership club to play internationally, so Farrell has been ineligible for Test duty while in France.
One thing is for sure.
Former Wales coach Warren Gatland is heading to Uruguay for his rugby return
It now looks more likely than ever that he could be back in England far sooner than anyone expected.
Elsewhere, Warren Gatland is set to make his first return to coaching since his departure from Wales midway through the Six Nations in Uruguay, of all places.
Gatland’s second stint with Wales ended after just two games of the 2025 Championship and he hasn’t been involved in the game since.
But the three-time British & Irish Lions head coach has flown to South America for a short stint advising Uruguay club side Penarol.
Farrell’s former Saracens team-mate Alex Goode, who recently made his 400th appearance for the club, will retire at the end of the current season.
