Owen Farrell has made 256 previous appearances for Saracens Coach Steve Borthwick says he will allow Owen Farrell to settle back into life at Saracens this summer, rather than calling him up for an immediate return to England duty. Farrell, 33, has signeda two-year deal with Premiership side Saracens,ending his stint at French side Racing 92 and bringing him back into England reckoning. This July, Borthwick's side will take on Argentina away in two Tests before a one-off match against the United States in Washington. They will do so without 13 first-choice players who have been selected for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia. However, Borthwick says he won't rush Farrell, who has 112 appearances for England, back to fortify the squad. While the experienced George Ford is on tour, uncapped Charlie Atkinson is the back-up specialist fly-half. Farrell can also play in midfield, where England are without the injured Ollie Lawrence and Fraser Dingwall "No, he wasn't part of the plan," said Borthwick, when asked byRugby Union Weekly whether Farrell had been under consideration for the summer. "Owen has been on record saying he just wants to get back playing and get settled with his family back in Hertfordshire, and we wish him all the best with that." Borthwick, who captained Farrell at Saracens at the tail end of his own career, said he had been in regular contact with him during a spell in Paris which was blighted by injury and upheaval among the club's coaching staff. England have a policy of only selecting those playing their club rugby within the country. Farrell's Racing team-mate Henry Arundell is also moving back to the Premiership next season, having agreed a move to champions Bath. "Hopefully there will be more players coming back because we want our league to be the strongest and the very best," said Borthwick. Cameron Woki (right) has appeared 30 times for France Meanwhile France flanker Cameron Woki has been cleared to play immediately after a foul-play review committee ruled that he should not have been sent off in thewin over an England XVat Allianz Stadium on Saturday. Woki was shown a yellow card after he made contact with Jamie George's head while clearing a ruck early in the second half, which television match official Mike Adamson reviewed and upgraded to a 20-minute red card. However a three-person panel, part of a new streamlined disciplinary process being trialled for the first time, reassessed the incident and disagreed that Woki's action constituted a high degree of danger. Woki has been named in the France squad for a three-Test series against New Zealand this summer. Leinster's veteran prop Rabah Slimani, who appeared in a France shirt for the first time in nearly six years at Twickenham at the weekend, is also included. Up to five players from Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles, who are contesting this weekend's Top 14 final, can be added to the squad later as part of an agreement between French federation and their top-flight clubs.
Farrell not considered for England tour despite Saracens return
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Owen Farrell Excluded from England Tour Following Return to Saracens"
Bbc News
8.6
TruthLens AI Summary
Owen Farrell, the notable fly-half with a rich history of 256 appearances for Saracens, has returned to the club after a stint with Racing 92 in France. Despite his return and extensive experience, England's head coach Steve Borthwick has decided not to include Farrell in the squad for the upcoming summer tour. This tour includes two Tests against Argentina and a match against the United States, but England will be without 13 first-choice players who are participating in the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia. Borthwick emphasized the importance of allowing Farrell to acclimate back to his club environment and prioritize his family life in Hertfordshire over an immediate national selection. Farrell, who has 112 caps for England, is keen to focus on his club commitments first, and Borthwick supports this decision, stating that rushing him back into the England setup would not be beneficial for either party.
While England aims to build a competitive team despite the absence of key players, they will rely on other options such as uncapped fly-half Charlie Atkinson and experienced player George Ford, who is on tour. The decision to exclude Farrell aligns with England's policy of selecting players based on their current club participation within the country. The article also touches on the return of other players to the Premiership, including Farrell’s Racing teammate Henry Arundell, who is set to join Bath. Meanwhile, the French rugby scene is highlighted with Cameron Woki's recent clearance to play following a review that overturned his red card, allowing him to participate in an upcoming series against New Zealand. This situation illustrates the evolving dynamics in both English and French rugby as teams prepare for significant international competitions during the summer months.
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