Owen Farrell’s England hiatus should give all of us pause for thought

While there may be several factors in the England captain’s decision, the ‘disgusting circus’ around him has clearly played its part.

HIATUS: Owen Farrell, who is taking a break from international rugby to prioritise his and his family’s mental well-being and will not be available for the Six Nations, his club Saracens have announced. Pic: Mike Egerton/PA Wire

It is a rare thing indeed for Owen Farrell to actively take over from Steve Borthwick when the pair are conducting an England press conference so, when he does, it pays to listen. 

“You are dealing with people, with human beings. Just because you’re saying stuff on your phone or behind a computer screen doesn’t make it acceptable,” Farrell said in the final week of England’s World Cup campaign, specifically addressing the online abuse Tom Curry to which had been subjected.