Owen Farrell is set to make his New Year’s return from injury, ready to pull Racing 92 from the brink of mid-winter and reignite his chances of being called up for the Lions tour.
The 33-year-old former England captain and Test centurion has endured a chaotic first season in France following his summer move from Saracens and last month underwent surgery for a groin problem.
Farrell’s rehabilitation is progressing well, although both the key signing and his struggling club have been left frustrated by the setback.
“He required surgery for a groin injury and he is recovering very well,” racing manager Stuart Lancaster told MailSport. He is running well now. ‘Hopefully he can return to training early in the new year and be selected shortly afterwards.’
Farrell did not travel to Salford for his club’s Champions Cup match against Sale on December 13. Because the away team was defeated 29-7. But last week, he was with Lancaster and assistant Frederic Michalak in the coaching box during the narrow home win over Harlequins in the French capital.
For the former England manager, 55, who is overseeing a cumbersome transition phase in racing, being able to draw on Farrell’s wealth of experience and expertise has been an invaluable asset, even during his time away from the sport.
Owen Farrell is set to return to club rugby with Racing 92 following injury.
The former Saracens star has been unable to make the desired impact at his new French club
But manager Stuart Lancaster praised his assists from the touchline while he was out of action.
‘He’s been really helpful to me personally,’ Lancaster said. ‘Even though he’s not on the training ground at the moment, he understands what I’m thinking and what I’m looking for and has the ability to communicate that to the squad.
‘He’s not just focused on rehab, he’s really focused on helping the team, almost like an assistant coaching role. He’s been really helpful to me and the group.’
Will Farrell one day become a full-time coach and emulate his father Andy?
‘I think so,’ added Lancaster. ‘Obviously here it’s about trying to translate your ideas into French and communicate them in French. But he has a good understanding of the game and knows what needs to happen this week to get ready for the game. He is very good and respected by the playing group.’
Like Lancaster himself and fellow English importers such as Henry Arundell and Sam James, Farrell is taking French lessons to become more fluent. He has already reached a stage where his language level is good enough that ‘the players understand his messages on the training pitch’.
The decision to move was based in part on Farrell’s desire to escape the hostile and pressurized environment of English rugby, where he assumed the role of a pantomime villain even when leading the national team. Owen, wife Georgie and sons Tommy and Freddie have adapted to their new surroundings.
“He’s settled in well,” Lancaster said. ‘This has been a big change for him and his family. His wife and two children joined him and the children began attending a French elementary school. We even met the dog (Ronnie)! I think I’ve enjoyed the challenges and changes that come with being in the spotlight.’
Unfortunately, in the field
The Racing 92 coach advised Farrell to follow in the footsteps of his Ireland manager father Andy (pictured).
The player left Saracens in the summer of 2024 after 16 years at the north London club.
Farrell also resigned from the England rugby set-up after the abuse.
Farrell has yet to make the kind of impact he had hoped for and Racing had hoped for due to injuries suffered shortly after his arrival. “It’s unfortunate he hasn’t played in the last game due to injury, but he’ll be back soon and there’s still a long way to go in the season,” Lancaster said.
‘He was hampered by a groin injury not in the first week, but in the first month or so. As a result, the goal kick could not be taken, so Nolan (Le Garrec) had to take the goal kick. We had hoped that reducing the burden would help, but apparently it did not. So we got to the point where we had to be fair to him and give him some time off to allow the surgery to be completed.’
Racing has endured a turbulent period during Farrell’s outing. They dropped from the top 14 to ninth after yesterday’s 21-17 defeat at Montpellier, leaving them seventh after their opening 12 league games.
Standout scrum-half Le Garrec has agreed to move to La Rochelle at the end of the season, while French hooker Camille Chat was one of two players disciplined for off-field misconduct last week.
Lancaster has been the subject of speculation about his position at the club amid discontent within the squad. However, recent rumors that he had put himself forward for the vacant Munster manager position were found to be untrue.
What he needs is for Farrell to return and give the club a boost in their quest to climb into the top 14 and reach the play-offs.
Following Farrell’s injury, Racing 92 had a difficult time and fell to ninth in the standings after the loss to Montpellier.
For the celebrated No. 10, being perfectly fit and firing across the channel could put him in contention for selection for the Lions tour of Australia. But ironically, helping Racing get into the play-offs may actually hinder his prospects due to a clash of fixtures. Finn Russell and Marcus Smith are seen as top fly-half candidates in their home country, but Andy Farrell can’t help but consider his son as another alternative.
‘Obviously playing for the Lions is the greatest honor and I’m sure he’s working hard to achieve that,’ Lancaster said. ‘But he will want to come back and play consistently well in racing.
‘I coached Johnny Sexton when he was 37, 38 and he was playing Test rugby in the World Cup. Owen is now 33 years old, so he’s sure to have a few years left in him. He is still in very good physical condition.’
In a few weeks he will be fit enough to play again. Racing cannot wait for the big contract to become fully operational.
