Ahead of his first Test as Japan manager, the Australian explains how Owen Farrell might have been in Tokyo this weekend rather than watching England in person. Rugby Pass TV.
Farrell, 32, one of the world’s best players, could choose a club after deciding to step away from the spotlight of English rugby and take on a new challenge of breaking into the top 14 with Racing Metro next season.
The former England captain signed for the Paris side in a deal worth £685,000 per year. But if money were his main motivation, England’s record goalscorer could choose to stay at Saracens for a seven-figure sum or move to Japan. .
Japan’s League One is booming, according to Jones in the latest episode. Walk the talk with Jim HamiltonIt is currently home to three of the world’s best players – All Blacks Ardie Savea and Richie Mo’unga and Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe.
Farrell could also be included in that number had he accepted an offer to play his cub rugby in the Far East outside of the top 14.
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“We wanted to get him here (Japan) but he ended up going to Racing and I can understand why,” Jones said in a wide-ranging and insightful interview.
“But when you’re a good player like him, you have options. “I am delighted to see he has made a good decision for his family and I am sure he will enjoy his racing rugby.”
Jones talks about how little media interference there is in Japan, allowing coaches and players to do their jobs uninterrupted.
That aspect of life, though mentally challenging, would certainly have appealed to Farrell, who decided to withdraw from the England team because of online abuse.
Given his very close relationship with Farrell, Jones knows it would not have been a good thing for the 112-cap England player to leave.
“You played with him, and I was lucky enough to coach him,” he told Hamilton. “There has never been a stronger, more motivated and more consistent player.
“To be honest, I haven’t been following (social media abuse) and I’ve only heard snippets, so I’m putting together a few things. But I presume that at some stage social media really got under Owen’s skin and influenced him.
“Considering the strength of his character and the strength of his love for rugby, you can see how difficult it was for him to basically have to say enough is enough. I need to take a break and go somewhere else to play. .”
