By his own admission, Owen Farrell was exhausted after the first weekend of the season. A stray boot to the face inside 10 minutes made for a bloody nose and a rude awakening on his second Saracens debut against Newcastle, 17 years after his first. Farrell soldiered on to the hour mark, helping Saracens to a bonus-point victory before an early train home on Saturday morning. It was Sunday that left him “emotionally drained”, however.
Farrell was glued to Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph, watching Luke Donald’s side so nearly snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The 34-year-old is a keen golfer – he took the phone call from his father, Andy, to join the British & Irish Lions tour in July in a clubhouse – and played alongside Donald at last month’s PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth.
In the buildup to Europe’s victory, Donald suggested he had spoken to Farrell about dealing with hostile crowds – no doubt aware of what was coming at Bethpage. Farrell insists the conversation was brief and limited to forging a team environment. Clearly he is being modest, not least because teammates, particularly those on the Lions tour this summer, hang on his every word. There are similarities too between putting a Ryder Cup team together and gelling as a Lions squad.
When it is put to Farrell that Donald had turned to him for advice, he says: “I’ll take it. To get to spend a bit of time with him before that event was cool. We talked about stuff to do with a team and he asked a few questions about what I’d seen over the years around teams and bringing them together and creating an identity. It wasn’t a long chat, I was trying to get some advice about how not to shank the ball.
“He was unbelievably level, very calm, so I can only imagine that stood out for the lads when they were out there, because the Ryder Cup seemed like chaos at times. I was knackered, emotionally drained by the end. It almost seemed inevitable on the last day but momentum can swing big time.”
Back at Saracens’ St Albans training base, Farrell is focused on forging another team identity. Mark McCall has spoken of how his side are into their second season of a new project after finishing sixth last term – Farrell’s sole year at Racing 92. Now he brings a fresh set of eyes but an old head and renewed enthusiasm, watching youngsters like Noah Caluori, who scored a stunning try on debut against Newcastle, make their mark.
It is approaching four months since Farrell’s return was confirmed, his unveiling at StoneX met with widespread intrigue over his international future. Farrell was non-committal, insisting he just wanted to enjoy his rugby again, but in hindsight his late secondment to Australia with the Lions was inevitable. He relished being back at the sharp end, appearing in the second Test victory at the MCG as well as the dead rubber in Sydney.
But did a return to Test action move the dial with regard to his England ambitions? He was omitted from a mini-training camp before the start of the season but there would appear to be a place if he wants to pursue it, particularly at inside-centre where he started last weekend – the first time he had done so for Saracens in a decade – and appeared for the Lions. He has even bulked up a touch in preparation for spending more time in midfield.
“[I’m] still in the same place,” he says. “I want to make sure I’m loving what I’m doing here. I want to make the most out of that and see where we’re at. I’m very wary of talking about it, you’ve got to play well as well. But I’m determined to make the most out of my time here and see where that takes me.
“I loved [the Lions tour]. It was special, it was brilliant. We had a great balance to us. [The MCG] was great. Messing about playing cricket on there the day before, I don’t think that happens too much. An iconic stadium to win a game, like we did in that fashion, and then the celebrations after, being sat on the field sharing a beer together was pretty special.” Of his four tours, was it his favourite? “It was a pretty cool one, yeah.”
The smart money is on Farrell adding to his 112 England caps at some point this season. It may not be in the autumn but as is often the case with Farrell, it is what he does not say that feels most telling. His Lions experience does not sound like it was one last international hurrah and it is hard to see Steve Borthwick wasting any time in adding someone of his standing should he find form to justify inclusion. This England squad is not overflowing with voices of authority.
Farrell, for his part, is happy enough with his current form and fitness. Unlike most other Lions players he was allowed to appear last weekend because he had such an interrupted year in France with groin and head injuries. His pre-season was short but Farrell believes his injury problems are behind him.
“I’ve still got some work to do but ticking away in the background rather than it being the main focus to make sure I keep improving after a tough year last year,” he adds. “I’m clear on what I need to do.”
