Steve Borthwick reveals Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell not ‘part of the plan’ for England this summer after move back to Premiership
Published 25/06/2025 at 09:37 GMT+1
Steve Borthwick did not name Owen Farrell as part of his squad to travel to Argentina this summer for back-to-back tests, with the former England captain now eligible to play for his country once more after returning to Saracens on a two-year deal. George Ford instead captains England, who are also going to play the USA in a one-off test match following their Argentina tour.
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England head coach Steve Borthwick has opted not to include former captain Owen Farrell in his travelling squad this summer.
England take on Argentina in a two-test series in July, before travelling to the United States for one further match.
George Ford is joint-captain of the England team and therefore looks set to start at fly-half, but there is no place for Farrell in the squad. However, head coach Borthwick has not ruled Farrell out of future appearances.
Farrell last played for England at the 2023 World Cup, before opting to take a sabbatical from national duty. He subsequently moved to France to play for Racing 92, which ruled him out of selection due to eligibility criteria.
But the England record points scorer has now returned to the Premiership with his boyhood side Saracens, signing a two-year deal after a difficult time in France, with injuries and concussion problems limiting his appearances for Racing.
As such, Farrell is technically available for international duty again, with many in the game wondering if he would be parachuted straight back into the England fold, given this is a Lions summer, so many first-choice England stars are unavailable for the national side.
But Borthwick made his feelings clear when he spoke on Rugby Union Weekly.
"No, he wasn't part of the plan," the coach said.
"Owen has been on record saying he just wants to get back playing and get settled with his family back in Hertfordshire, and we wish him all the best with that."
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In Farrell’s absence, Ford travels as the first-choice fly-half, with new boy Charlie Atkinson providing cover at 10.
England regulars Marcus Smith and Fin Smith are both on Lions duty, where they will be fighting with Finn Russell for the starring fly-half role Down Under.
Farrell has not ruled out representing England in the future, confirming upon re-signing for Saracens that he is "not retired."
He originally stepped down from national duty following the World Cup in 2023 - where England finished third - citing he was doing so "in order to prioritise his and his family's mental well-being."
Farrell remains England’s leading points scorer with 1237 in 112 appearances, ahead of Jonny Wilkinson.
England's first test against Argentina is on Saturday, July 5.
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