Premiership clubs target Owen Farrell following Stuart Lancaster's sacking
Today at 02:56 PM
Stuart Lancaster has officially left his role as head coach of Racing 92 with immediate effect, throwing further uncertainty over Owen Farrell's future at the struggling French club.
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While Racing have yet to confirm the departure, reports first surfaced on Thursday night suggesting the Englishman was set for a shock exit. Planet Rugby later claimed Lancaster had already left, and RUCK has since received confirmation of the news.
The former England and Leinster boss departs midway through the 2024/25 campaign with Racing languishing in 12th place in the Top 14, having won just five of their 15 league matches.
His sudden exit has only intensified speculation that Farrell could cut short his time in Paris. The ex-England captain has endured a nightmare debut season in France, with Midi Olympique even branding him the "biggest flop" of the campaign so far.
Farrell's most recent performance—Racing's 27-20 home defeat to Castres—has only added fuel to the fire. The 33-year-old, who recently returned from injury, was heavily criticised in the French media, with reports calling it "probably his worst performance" since making the high-profile switch from Saracens.
The veteran fly-half missed four tackles, struggled to control the game, and was slated for "particularly slow" passing, while his kicking lacked its usual accuracy. With Racing's attack misfiring, much of the blame has landed squarely on Farrell's shoulders.
With Lancaster gone and the pressure mounting, could Farrell be heading for an early exit from Racing? Premiership clubs will no doubt be watching closely.
"Disappointing since the start of the season, Owen Farrell delivered a more than worrying performance on Saturday evening. Will he ever return to his former level?" asked Marc Duzan of Midi Olympique. The publication didn't hold back, questioning whether Farrell is still "strong enough" to handle the demands of the Top 14.
A shock return to the Premiership?
Farrell's struggles in France have sparked rumours of a potential return to the Gallagher Premiership, with both Bristol Bears and Leicester Tigers reportedly keeping tabs on his situation.
A move back to England could offer the 33-year-old a fresh start and a chance to recapture the form that made him one of rugby's most feared playmakers. He’d also be eligible to return for England.
For now, Farrell remains at Racing 92, but questions over his future—and his ability to rediscover his best form—are growing louder by the week.
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Round 1 Officials: 31 Jan – 1 Feb
France v Wales (Friday, 31 Jan – Stade de France, Paris)
- Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
- Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy), Jordan Way (Australia)
- TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
- FPRO: Damon Murphy (Australia)
Paul Williams, born on April 11, 1985, in Waverley, Taranaki, New Zealand, began his refereeing journey in 2011 while still playing as a halfback at the club level.
He was appointed to the New Zealand High Performance referee squad in 2014 and became a full-time Super Rugby referee in 2016, marking a significant milestone as the first official from Taranaki to do so.
Williams has since officiated numerous international test matches and is known for his sound tactical knowledge of the game.
Scotland v Italy (Saturday, 1 Feb – Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
- Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
- Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce (England), Damian Schneider (Argentina)
- TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
- FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Dickson, born on August 2, 1982, in Salisbury, England, is a former professional rugby union player who transitioned into refereeing after retiring from playing. As a scrum-half, he played for Harlequins in the English Premiership.
Following his playing career, Dickson pursued refereeing and has quickly risen through the ranks, officiating in the English Premiership and European competitions. He is known for his player-centric approach, leveraging his on-field experience to manage games effectively.
These referees bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Six Nations Championship, ensuring the matches are officiated at the highest standard.
CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO
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