Head coach Steve Borthwick has explained why Owen Farrell was not considered for England duty during the upcoming summer tour.
Farrell, 33, has not been included in the England squad to take on Argentina and the USA in the coming weeks.
That’s despite the former England captain re-signing with Premiership club Saracens.
Farrell penned a two-year deal with former club Sarries, ending his stint in Paris with Racing 92.
But despite recently stating he is not retired from international duty, Farrell was not included in Borthwick’s summer tour squad.
England take on Argentina in a two-match series before a one-off fixture against the USA in Washington.
The squad selected for the tour is missing 13 key players, who were named in the British and Irish Lions squad heading to Australia this summer.
Despite this, there was no place in the England touring party for 112-capped Farrell.
Instead, George Ford and the uncapped Charlie Atkinson are England’s only two recognised fly-half options.
🥶🥶🥶
Owen Farrell's return to @Saracens is already giving us the chills 👊 pic.twitter.com/2yZ16fD84M
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) June 20, 2025
Steve Borthwick Explains Owen Farrell England Decision
Speaking to Rugby Union Weekly, Borthwick explained Farrell was not considered for selection.
He said:Â “No, he wasn’t part of the plan.
“Owen has been on record saying he just wants to get back playing and get settled with his family back in Hertfordshire, and we wish him all the best with that.”
Borthwick played alongside Farrell towards the end of his own playing days at Saracens.
The pair remained in close contact during Farrell’s time in France, which was severely hampered by injury.
“Hopefully there will be more players coming back because we want our league to be the strongest and the very best,” added Borthwick.
Farrell’s former Racing 92 teammate Henry Arundell is also returning to the Premiership, joining champions Bath for next season.
That move earned an England recall for Bath-bound Arundell.
Why Isn’t Owen Farrell Playing For England?
Since moving to Racing 92, Owen Farrell has been ineligible for England selection.
That’s because the Rugby Football Union (RFU), England’s governing body, enforces a strict policy of only selecting players based in England.
This is done to ensure the best English players play their rugby in the Gallagher Premiership.
The aim of this is both to preserve the quality of the English top flight, and to give England better control over their players’ availability and development.
Overseas players, particularly those in France, have faced difficulty with availability for other nations.
For example, Scotland and British and Irish Lions fullback Blair Kinghorn has not been released by club side Toulouse, due to the French club’s Top14 final commitment.
But having rejoined Saracens this summer, Owen Farrell is once again eligible for England selection.
💫 Owen Farrell's 16-year career in England:
– 6 Premiership Titles
– 3 Champions Cup Titles
– England’s Top Points Scorer
– 112 England Caps
– 3 Six Nations Titles
– 6 B&I Lions Tests
– Silver & Bronze World Cup medals
– 3 nominations for World Player of the YearLegend. pic.twitter.com/khc0ctxVx6
— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) June 1, 2024
Owen Farrell Racing 92 Struggles Could Harm England Recall Hopes
Whether or not Farrell is picked for the national side again is another matter, though.
England’s all-time record points scorer with 1271, Farrell has been an incredible servant to the Red Rose.
But at 33, he is not getting any younger, and Borthwick looks to have put his faith in young Northampton fly-half Fin Smith.
Smith, along with namesake Marcus, has been developing superbly since taking over fly-half duties from Farrell and George Ford.
With both Marcus and Fin Smith on the Lions tour, they have already proven their quality.
And with one eye on the 2027 World Cup, it may not make sense to recall Farrell.
But should England come knocking, Farrell has not yet shut the door on his international career.
“I’m not retired,” he confirmed in a recent interview.
“Who knows? [if he will play for England again].”
“The only point for me now at the minute is getting back here [Saracens] and loving what I’m doing.
“I really think I can do that while getting more out of me and that, therefore, hopefully puts me in a really good place to have a good impact here, and then who knows after that.
