The British & Irish Lions captain, Maro Itoje, says he would love to see Owen Farrell back in the England side next season after a two-year absence. Farrell has joined the Lions in Australia and Itoje believes England would benefit from Farrell’s return.
Farrell, who will be 34 in September, last played for the national side at the 2023 World Cup before stepping away from Test rugby to “prioritise his and his family’s mental wellbeing”. Itoje, though, feels his Saracens teammate still has plenty to give should he declare himself available once again.
“If he wants to play for England, why not?” said Itoje, who will lead the Lions against the ACT Brumbies on Wednesday. “That would be amazing if that is in his plans and in his dreams. A fit Owen Farrell makes any team better. Owen is one of the best England players we’ve ever seen.”
Farrell has taken part in his first full training session since arriving as a replacement for the injured Elliot Daly, slotting in at 12 and kicking with the Lions 10s Finn Russell, Fin Smith and Marcus Smith. He has already made a favourable impression on the former Lions and Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton, who toured Australia with Farrell as part of the victorious 2013 Lions squad.
“I know from playing 10 that if he’s at 12, it’s a dream,” said Sexton. “He’s already up to speed. He came off the plane and knew the plays and everything that was going on. He has trained really well.
“He was at 12 today in the ‘bibs’ [second] team, as we call them. He carved us open a couple of times so we can see the value he’s going to bring for the rest of the tour.”
Sexton says Farrell’s call-up was a shrewd move with the first Test on 19 July. “How could you not bring him? He’s a world-class player. Look at what he’s won: he’s not just a guy who has hung on to the coattails of other people, he’s the one who has been driving those teams. He’s been fantastic to have in camp and I’m sure he’s going to add loads.”
