England Skipper Owen Farrell to Sit Out Six Nations, Focusing on Mental Well-being
England captain Owen Farrell to prioritize mental well-being and family, takes a break from international rugby, as announced by Saracens
The England rugby team captain, Owen Farrell, has decided to take a break from international competition in order to focus on his own and his family's mental health, according to an announcement from his club, Saracens, on Wednesday. This means that Farrell will be absent from the next Six Nations tournament, but he will still be representing and leading his club, Saracens.
Last month, the 32-year-old guided England to a third-place finish at the Rugby World Cup and achieved the title of his country's highest points scorer during the tournament, surpassing Jonny Wilkinson's total of 1,179. Additionally, he secured the top scorer position at the World Cup with 75 points.
"Everyone at England Rugby is fully behind Owens decision," England head coach Steve Borthwick said in a statement.
Farrell led England during the team's Rugby World Cup semifinal defeat against South Africa in Paris last month.
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"Being an essential component of the England team for more than ten years, he has faced the demanding pressures of being an elite athlete. He shines as a model player, captain, and leader, consistently giving his best for his country.
Timothy Weah from Juventus FC is pictured in action during the Serie A TIM match between AC Milan and Juventus at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 22, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
The Juventus duo's discussion on mental health sheds light on the reality of facing discrimination based on skin color. "Owen's decision to speak out with such bravery is commendable. England Rugby and I are committed to providing him with the necessary support moving forward."
Farrell was initially banned for the first two games of England's World Cup campaign after being sent off in a warm-up game for a dangerous tackle. The incident caused controversy before the tournament when the red card and subsequent ban were both rescinded and then reinstated.
At the time, Farrell's father, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, condemned the "absolutely disgusting" reaction to the disciplinary process from the broader rugby community, while Borthwick denounced the "personal attacks" aimed at the fly-half.
During the tournament itself, Farrell commented on online abuse directed at England teammate Tom Curry, saying that it "seems to be going more and more like this."
Farrell (center) celebrates England's third-place finish at the World Cup after beating Argentina.
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He informed journalists before England's bronze-medal game against Argentina: "You are interacting with individuals. You are dealing with people. Just because you are communicating through your phone or a computer screen, it does not mean that it is okay. It seems that this behavior is becoming more prevalent, and I do not believe it is acceptable."
Arguably, Farrell has been England's top player of the last ten years, ever since he first played for the national team in 2012. He has made a total of 112 appearances for England as a fly-half and center, and has been the team's captain since 2019.
