England captain Owen Farrell has decided to take a break from Test rugby, ruling himself out of the 2024 Six Nations to prioritize his and his family's mental well-being. The decision comes after facing unprecedented scrutiny and abuse in the media and on social media. Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has criticized the treatment of Farrell and highlighted the negative impact of social media on the player. Former teammates and figures in the rugby community have shown support for Farrell's decision, acknowledging the toll the public scrutiny has taken on him.
Owen Farrell will be back for @Saracens for their difficult @ChampionsCup clash with @BlueBullsRugby in Pretoria after his knee injury
Owen Farrell's decision to take break from international rugby is underappreciated - Joe Marler https://t.co/2tZEBDZlJS
Owen Farrell is England’s finest leader – they will miss him Captain was the single greatest influence on Steve Borthwick’s team in their run to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals Read the column by @DavidWalshST ⬇️ https://t.co/xJjDIb99Bp
England realise what they will miss without Owen Farrell as Saracens slip up at home. #TelegraphRugby | #GallagherPrem
RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: England captain Owen Farrell is a man of steel... his struggles show it's time for sport to lower the barriers https://t.co/tbIp2P4sJg https://t.co/wyQLbONxd1
RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: England captain Owen Farrell is a man of steel... his struggles show it's time for sport to lower the barriers https://t.co/iRkJ9Z6yr8 https://t.co/QDutsT4HYH
👏 Support for former teammate Owen Farrell. 😲 Shocking public abuse he received in 2015. 🚨 ICYMI: Read our exclusive with @chrisrobshaw. ✍️ @jameswhile https://t.co/WMUxWNBqBo
🗣️ "We are all human beings. For someone to take such a battering over a period of time it is going to take its toll at some point, so good on him." 🏴 Max Malins feels Owen Farrell made the right call to take a break from Test rugby. https://t.co/fO0NN0tIeH
Owen Farrell's decision 'a watershed moment for the game' - Warren Gatland https://t.co/QL3INIieF3
Owen Farrell left out as Saracens name team to take on Northampton. #SARvNOR #GallagherPrem #EnglandRugby Click below for more ⤵️ https://t.co/3R0m9vtq8g
"The person that is being portrayed in the media bears no resemblance to the person that I know..." - Transcript: The entire Mark McCall 20-minute media briefing on Owen Farrell. #EnglandRugby #Saracens #GallagherPrem Click below for more ⤵️ https://t.co/zz7oLO0vkQ
Mark McCall on ‘shameful’ abuse that has forced Owen Farrell to step away from 🏴 duty and a ‘wake-up call’ for rugby. https://t.co/V4c16KeVl3
Owen Farrell is no special case – the England captaincy is a poisoned chalice ✍️ @danscho1 #TelegraphRugby
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has criticised the “shameful” treatment of Owen Farrell after the England captain opted to take a break from international rugby for mental health reasons. https://t.co/o3BDc8R7vX
🗣️ "I admire Owen for many reasons anyway, but even more for doing this." 💫 Saracens boss Mark McCall hails "courageous and brave" Owen Farrell. 👇 https://t.co/NIN2S5SZx6
Owen Farrell could miss up to a year with England following his decision to step away from the Six Nations to prioritise his and his family’s mental well-being, Telegraph Sport understands. @GavinMairs https://t.co/Nzg6LPVKq0
Owen Farrell may not play for England again @TimesSport https://t.co/yms2gSK83m
🔺NEW: Owen Farrell may not play for England again Media to blame for ‘shameful’ abuse, says Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall Read our story by @AlexMLowe⬇️ https://t.co/7neBSHS37W
🔺NEW: Owen Farrell unlikely to play for England again Media to blame for ‘shameful’ abuse, says Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall Read our story by @AlexMLowe⬇️ https://t.co/7neBSHS37W
Owen Farrell to miss England's All Blacks tour amid serious doubts over return Exclusive from ✍️ @GavinMairs #TelegraphRugby
Saracens boss Mark McCall slams 'shameful' treatment of Owen Farrell https://t.co/sLKWM9Dfak
"That wasn't enough for some people and he was made to feel the way that he is feeling..." - Mark McCall sheds light on the decision by England skipper Owen Farrell to take a Test rugby sabbatical. #EnglandRugby #GallagherPrem #Saracens https://t.co/zZmucSnnkk
🗣️ “Think the heat copped by Farrell individually has been genuinely unprecedented in rugby union as far as its scale and relentlessness." 🏴 Owen Farrell's decision shows the negative impact social media can have. https://t.co/BEIL3PCsca
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall is firm on where the blame lies regarding "unfair scrutiny" of Owen Farrell. #BBCRugby #BBC6N https://t.co/IXU5qPHUqF
"It’s shameful..." - Saracens' Mark McCall has given a compelling media briefing about the negative narrative that has forced Owen Farrell into his England Test sabbatical, writes Liam Heagney 👨💻 #EnglandRugby #GallagherPrem Click below for more ⤵️ https://t.co/ThYNXIhsqy
"It’s shameful..." - Saracens' Mark McCall has given a compelling media briefing about the negative narrative that has forced Owen Farrell into an England Test sabbatical, writes Liam Heagney 👨💻 #EnglandRugby #GallagherPrem Click below for more ⤵️ https://t.co/ThYNXIhsqy
"I am absolutely delighted that he's decided to put his well-being first" 🙌 Former Burnley and Leeds defender Clarke Carlisle has praised England rugby union captain Owen Farrell, for taking time away to prioritise his mental health 🗣👇 https://t.co/B9hmrTtouo
Owen Farrell’s idiotic abusers have won on shameful day for rugby. Drunken fools and keyboard warriors have made playing for England more trouble than it is worth – a terrible look for a sport that prides itself on respect. ✍🏻@AlexMLowe @TimesSport https://t.co/OWlAdeldRS
🗣️ "Farrell was left exposed, as players often are, and the subsequent targeting of him was way over the top and totally uncalled for.” 🏴 Sir Clive Woodward slams ‘unjust and personal’ attacks on Owen Farrell. https://t.co/1f5HICITGp
Owen Farrell pulls out of Six Nations ‘to prioritise his and family’s mental well-being’ More here 👇 https://t.co/7ppdT0OeZj
Criticism of Owen Farrell was legitimate but the abuse he received was a disgrace. @BrianMoore666 says fans know when they have overstepped the mark. #TelegraphSport #TelegraphRugby
Owen Farrell withdrawing from England duty to 'prioritise mental wellbeing' is wake-up call rugby cannot ignore https://t.co/5hBhs96WuE
What Clive Woodward makes of the shock Owen Farrell England sabbatical. #EnglandRugby Click below for more ⤵️ https://t.co/Qg63wuhbBx
Seven days ago the national dailies reported that Owen Farrell had 'no England retirement plans.' Now he has ruled himself out of the Six Nations to 'prioritise his and his family's well-being.' A week can be a very long time in high-level sport.
Owen Farrell will not feature in next year's Six Nations. https://t.co/dxnoFjYAwp
Owen Farrell’s England hiatus should give all of us pause for thought | Gerard Meagher https://t.co/R5wqU116Oz
Owen Farrell to miss Six Nations to ‘prioritise mental health’ @TimesSport updated piece with @johnwesterby 👇🏼 https://t.co/F3iAVs4Vft
England captain Owen Farrell pulls out of Six Nations More details 👇 https://t.co/7ppdT0OeZj
Steve Borthwick ‘fully behind’ Owen Farrell's big decision 🏴🗣️ See what he had to say here ⤵️ https://t.co/fwIBkcNFBy
England captain Owen Farrell pulls out of Six Nations 2024 to focus on mental well-being https://t.co/WFpZGsnM5m
England captain Owen Farrell to miss Six Nations to ‘prioritise’ well-being https://t.co/67tCATgHRa
England captain Owen Farrell will not be available for the 2024 Six Nations after deciding to take a break “to prioritise his and his family’s mental well-being”. https://t.co/V3u5TbjrlX
🔺 NEW: Owen Farrell, the England captain, will miss the Six Nations this season after deciding to take a break from international rugby “to prioritise his and his family’s mental well-being” Read more ⬇️ https://t.co/7PrtuXF5fe
🗣️ “It is with typical courage that Owen has made this decision to open up in this manner." 🏴 England captain Owen Farrell will take a break from Test rugby. https://t.co/CVGTzixc1E