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Rugby

29th Nov 2023

England captain Owen Farrell announces break from international rugby

Callum Boyle

Mizzy

Farrell won’t be available for selection with immediate effect

England captain Owen Farrell will take a break from international rugby.

Farrell’s decision was announced by his club side Saracens, who said that the 32-year-old has taken a step back from the national side to “prioritise his and his family’s mental well-being”.

His decision means he won’t be available for selection for the 2024 Six Nations but will continue to play for Saracens.

A statement from Saracens said that “as always, Owen will have the full support of everyone at the club.”

Owen Farrell

Farrell, who has scored more than 1,200 points in 100 tests for his country, made history at the 2023 Rugby World Cup as he became England’s highest scorer of all time in international rugby in October in a match against Samoa.

The 32-year-old made his England debut in a Six Nations fixture against Scotland and was appointed as one of England’s vice-captains in the 2016 Grand Slam Six Nations win before helping them to retain the crown a year later.

He most recently captained the Roses to a third-placed finish at the recent Rugby World Cup in France after England were beaten by eventual winners South Africa.