Saracens ‘relatively optimistic’ Owen Farrell will be fit for Ospreys clash

Farrell limped off with an ankle injury in Saturday’s victory over Harlequins

Owen Farrell suffered an ankle injury against Harlequins (Ben Whitley/PA)

Saracens are hopeful that Owen Farrell will be fit for Sunday’s Heineken Champions Cup round-of-16 clash with the Ospreys.

Farrell limped off with an ankle injury in the 70th minute of Saturday’s victory over Harlequins, but the England captain has made a rapid recovery.

“Owen took part in some of the training today (Wednesday), so we’re relatively optimistic that he’ll be available for this weekend,” director of rugby Mark McCall said.

Owen Farrell receiving treatment at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Ben Whitley/PA)

Farrell cried out in pain after rolling his left ankle while making a tackle close to Saracens’ tryline at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and hobbled off.

The 31-year-old fly-half had injured the same joint while on England duty in the final stage of the Six Nations, raising concerns that an aggravation might have caused more significant damage.

But McCall has put those fears to rest as Saracens return to the knockout phase of Europe’s prestige club competition, which they last won in 2019, after a two-year hiatus due to their relegation from the Premiership.

“Owen didn’t need a scan. He was much better on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday after the pain,” McCall said.

“He trained today and as long as there’s no reaction to that I’m sure he’ll be OK.

“He’s our captain and he played brilliantly on the weekend, led the team very well. So fingers crossed.”