Rugby Union - European Champions Cup - Group A - Saracens v Lyon - StoneX Stadium, Saracens, London, Britain - January 20, 2024 Saracens' Owen Farrell scores a conversion kick Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
(Reuters) -England fly-half Owen Farrell has joined French side Racing 92 on a two-year-deal, the Top 14 club said on Monday.
The move to France, effective from on July 1, potentially ends Farrell's international career after he decided to take a break from representing his country for mental health reasons.
Farrell, 32, has played 112 matches for England and scored 10 tries. He was part of the England side that won three Six Nations titles and reached the World Cup final in 2019.
The former England captain joined Premiership Rugby side Saracens in 2008, and has represented them in 237 matches.
"This is one of England’s greatest-ever players, greatest-ever captains. Any team in the world would miss an Owen Farrell," England coach Steve Borthwick told reporters earlier this month.
"But the work he has done to help create a foundation over these last months, to help re-set the England team and move forward, that is part of his legacy through this (Six Nations) tournament."
Farrell's Saracens team mate Jamie George will captain England in the upcoming Six Nations Championship, which kicks off on Feb. 2.
Six-time French Top 14 champions Racing 92 are top of the table in their ongoing league campaign, with 40 points after 12 matches. They lead second-placed Begles-Bordeaux by four points.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
