Farrell's popularity among Saracens fans appears as strong as ever. Photo: PA Wire/Joe Giddens
Owen News Farrell's taking an indefinite leave of absence from international rugby to protect his and his family's mental health amid the horrific abuse he received at the World Cup was a seismic event when it broke last November of the year; but Friday's report that the England midfielder was in talks with Racing 92 over a potential cross-Channel move at the end of this season – possibly turning his back on English rugby for good – eclipsed November's news on the Richter scale. This is the England captain who's not just taking a break from international rugby; but is looking for salvation.
On the face of it, the departure of Farrell, one of England's greatest players and captain Steve Borthwick, is a terrible development for English rugby. In these pages, chief sports writer Oliver Brown wrote that Farrell's departure would serve as an indictment of the system; both in terms of its appeal and from a cultural point of view. If Farrell leaves, these words will be as reasonable and true as any words written before the end of the season. However, the reality of the situation is that both elements are true: the circumstances of Farrell's departure mean he will contest the disappearance of three Premier League clubs at the gong of English rugby's darkest day; but given these realities, it could be a shrewd move on the part of England's de facto captain.
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