Maro Itoje, captain of the British & Irish Lions, has expressed his hope that Owen Farrell will rejoin the England squad next season after a two-year break. Farrell is currently with the Lions in Australia, and Itoje believes his return would strengthen the English side.
Now 33, Farrell last represented England at the 2023 World Cup before temporarily stepping away from international rugby to focus on personal and family well-being. However, Itoje, his Saracens teammate, is confident Farrell still has much to offer if he decides to play for England again.
"If he wants to play for England, why not?" said Itoje, who will captain the Lions against the ACT Brumbies on Wednesday. "That would be fantastic if that’s in his plans. A fully fit Owen Farrell improves any team. He’s among the best players England have ever had."
Farrell recently completed his first full training session since joining as a replacement for the injured Elliot Daly, working at inside centre and sharing kicking duties with fly-halves Finn Russell, Fin Smith, and Marcus Smith. His impact has already been noted by former Lions and Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton, who toured Australia with Farrell in 2013 as part of the Lions' winning squad.
"As a fly-half, playing with him at 12 is ideal," Sexton said. "He’s already in sync with the group. He arrived and immediately understood the strategies in place. His training has been sharp."
"Today, he was in the second-unit team, and he broke through our defence several times. It’s clear how much he’ll contribute on this tour."
Sexton believes Farrell’s inclusion was a smart decision ahead of the first Test on 19 July. "How could they leave him out? He’s a top-tier player—one who has led teams to success, not just followed others. His presence here has been excellent, and he’ll bring a lot to the squad."
Read next
Weekly Sports Quiz: Focus on Harry Kane, Victor Wembanyama, and WSL Champions
Local Community Efforts Drive Environmental Change
In a small town nestled between rolling hills and dense forests, residents have taken it upon themselves to spearhead a movement aimed at fostering environmental sustainability. This grassroots initiative is drawing attention for its comprehensive approach to tackling ecological challenges.
At the heart of
France and US Reign in Rapid and Blitz at Pall Mall Masters Chess Event
Mastering chess in central London is uncommon, though the annual ChessFest in Trafalgar Square draws over 20,000 visitors.
In London's Pall Mall club scene, the RAC clubhouse has been the site for the Oxford vs. Cambridge Varsity match for nearly fifty years. In 2023, the Athenaeum hosted
Indiana Fever and the Magasphere: A Risky Route to Fame for a WNBA Team
The Indiana Fever's season has concluded, marked by both its on-court performance and off-court controversies. Despite being eliminated by the Las Vegas Aces for the second consecutive year, the team has drawn significant attention, becoming a focal point in the WNBA this season.
The Fever'