Owen Farrell has revealed he could make himself available for England once again — despite admitting the social media “poison” that drove him to step back from Test rugby last year is still very real.
The former England skipper has already told head coach Steve Borthwick that he only wants to be picked on form and is determined to hit the ground running after rejoining Saracens from an injury-hit stint at Racing 92.
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Speaking ahead of the British & Irish Lions clash with a First Nations & Pasifika XV at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday, Farrell said he is feeling re-energised and inspired by the longevity of Ireland great Johnny Sexton.
“I’m determined to enjoy what I’m doing and love every minute of however long that I’ve got left,” said Farrell, who will start at 12 for the Lions.
“I’m not old yet. Johnny played forever and I’m obviously a half-back as well. There’s loads left in us and I’m just determined to enjoy it. I’ve come back to make the most of what I am doing. We’ll see what happens.”
Now back at Saracens for a fourth stint with the British & Irish Lions — first selected by his father, Andy, back in 2013 — Farrell is relishing the challenge but admits the online reaction to his selection hasn’t always been easy to handle.
“There’s times where people can say this, that and the other and it just goes over your head. And there’s times where you’re not in the best place of all time and you’re almost waiting for something to set you off.
“I understand that it’s different now. I understand that times are different … sometimes [social media] catches fire and just takes a life of its own. It goes wherever it goes and there’s momentum behind it. But I don’t always understand it, no.
“If you go and knock on someone’s door and ask them their opinion of how you played at the weekend, you wouldn’t really listen to their answer. Both [good and bad reactions on social media] are a poison. That’s not to say it’s all bad but the things that should matter to me and to us as players are the people that matter to us.”
Farrell says he now tunes out the noise, focusing only on the opinions that truly count.
“The people I think we should listen to are proper rugby people. Your mates … they’ll give you a real answer. If you’re in a good place yourself then you can deal with it. There’s obviously a lot of external factors that can creep in but ultimately it’s up to me how I am. Making sure I’m looking after myself, making sure I’m giving myself a break at times.
“I’m not someone who needs revving up too much. It’s normally the other way, of coming back down and relaxing. So having some perspective and making sure I look after myself in that way will, I think, lead to me being more myself.”
Farrell’s future with England remains uncertain — but with Saracens and the Lions, he’s determined to make his case impossible to ignore.
EDITORS PICKS:
On this day 10 years ago, England snatched the Rugby World Cup on Aussie soil. Let’s dive into what those legends got up to since lifting the Webb Ellis.
15. Josh Lewsey – The Everest Attempting Ex-Soldier
Full-back Lewsey was a British Army officer before turning pro rugby after just two years of service. When he hung up his boots in 2009, whispers floated he might return to the forces. Instead, he aimed higher—literally—attempting Everest, but a faulty oxygen apparatus stopped him 500 feet from the summit. Afterward, he jumped into finance at PwC and CitiGroup. But the rugby bug bit again, and in 2023 he returned as acting CEO of the Cornish Pirates before becoming Welsh Rugby Union’s Head of Rugby. Fun fact: He’s half Welsh, so this return was kind of homecoming.
14. Jason Robinson – Wing Wizard & Sheep Farmer?
Robinson, cross-code star and scorer of England’s sole try in the final, retired from rugby union in 2007 but never quite stepped off the pitch scene. He coached for the Rugby Football League and Sale Sharks, dabbled in sheep farming (yes, seriously), and even returned briefly to playing with a local team. These days he’s focused on his own high-performance sports apparel line, ‘Proskins.’ Versatile on and off the field!
13. Will Greenwood – Inside Centre with a Media Makeover
Retiring in 2006, Greenwood has arguably enjoyed a second career in the media spotlight. He writes columns, analyses games on TV, appears in adverts, and is a popular figure on the after-dinner circuit. But his biggest claim to fame now? Hosting School of Hard Knocks on Sky Sports, a show tackling social inclusion by using rugby to inspire youth in deprived areas.
12. Mike Tindall – Royalty, Rugby, and Rowdiness
Tindall’s best known to the general public as Princess Zara Phillips’ husband, but he’s still very much in the game, playing for Gloucester and coaching youngsters. His England career ended post-2011 World Cup—marred by controversy after being fined £15,000 for throwing a dwarf in a bar (a bizarre incident dubbed ‘dwarf-gate’). He now co-hosts the very successful The Good, The Bad and The Rugby Podcast.
11. Ben Cohen – The 6’2” Gay Icon & Dancing Star
Retired in 2023, Cohen had already founded the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation to fight bullying, focusing heavily on combating homophobic abuse. His advocacy has earned him ‘Ally of the Year’ from gay magazine Attitude—pretty impressive for a 6’2” ex-winger! He’s also a fan favorite on Strictly Come Dancing, proving his moves aren’t limited to the rugby pitch.
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