Saracens confirm Farrell ‘noises' as rebuild starts now

Telegraph

2 days ago

Saracens 36 Bath 26
This hollow finish to the season for Saracens underscored just how badly they have missed the leadership and experience of Owen Farrell and the prospect of him returning from Racing 92 appears to be gaining momentum.
Mark McCall, the Saracens director of rugby, confirmed the club were looking at the potential of the former England captain returning next season as an injury dispensation player for Alex Lozowski, who is out with an Achilles injury until Christmas.
McCall insisted however that a number of hurdles still had to be cleared, most pertinently, whether Racing were prepared to release him for significantly less than the €500,000 (£421,500) transfer fee they are demanding, and for Farrell to accept a salary less than he is currently receiving in Paris.
McCall believes the return of Farrell, who left the club last year after 16 seasons, in a player/coach role would also have a significant impact in fast-tracking the club's rebuilding project after the high-profile departures that also included the Vunipola brothers, Mako and Billy, and retirements of Sean Maitland and Alex Lewington.
'He doesn't have to play 10, he can play other positions as well,' said McCall. 'So for our young talents who are developing, it could be a great thing to have him there.
'It's not just about having talent, it's about being able to think properly on the field. I know Owen's obviously one of the best at that. He and Louis Johnson in particular have a very strong relationship already. They talk every month at least. Owen's so willing to share his knowledge and his experience with younger players.'
McCall said there had been 'some noises' that Racing and Farrell might be prepared to look at a move but at the moment was not on his list to replace Lozowski because the 33-year-old was still under contract.
'When Alex Lozowski gets an injury, then you're entitled to use an injury dispensation given the length of the injury and bring a new player to the club from outside your squad,' McCall added. 'But he can only play in the same position as the person who's been injured. Obviously, Alex plays 10, 12, 13 and the player coming in can only come in for the same money or less. So those are your factors.
'We think we're a bit vulnerable at 10, to be honest. We've got quite a lot of 12s and 13s, but we're vulnerable at 10 because Alex Goode's retired and he's played 10 a lot for us. We've got Fergus [Burke], we've got Louis and then we've got no-one else.
'So this is the way the process works – you compile a list of people you think might be suitable. I know Owen wasn't on the list, of course he wasn't because he's under contract with Racing, but there are some noises that Racing might be prepared to look at that and he might be prepared to look at that as well.
'But a couple of things have to happen – Racing have to let him go and they got to let him go for a price which some clubs, us included, are willing to pay. And that's a small amount. And, secondly, he's got an accept a salary which is less than he's on. So there are a few things that would have to happen. But he's not even on the list yet, because he's under contract.
'If he comes on to the list, he looks like a pretty good option on the list, because of the value for money that he would be.'
"There are some discussions with Racing as to whether or not they would release him from his contract."
Mark McCall reveals the latest on a possible Owen Farrell and Saracens reunion 👀 #GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/2RMQ1ZNJDm
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Saracens were comfortable winners here, but never dominant and even with the emotional drivers such as Alex Goode's final game for the club after over 400 appearances, were flat.
Saracens's fate had been in the hands of others since their defeat by Northampton in the penultimate round, when Farrell's absence was most acutely obvious as they let a commanding lead slip in the final quarter at Franklin's Gardens. It is only the third time since 2009 that they have not reached the play-offs.
Johann van Graan's side had clinched top spot in the league three rounds earlier and so could afford to rest all 23 players who had been in the squad that defeated Lyon in the Challenge Cup final in Cardiff eight days earlier.
And yet they still managed to make life uncomfortable for Saracens at times, with Tyler Offiah, son of rugby league legend Martin, Kepu Tuipulotu and Louie Hennessey, scoring in the final quarter after McCall's side had established a commanding lead with tries by Rotimi Segun, Jamie George (2), Elliot Daly and Theo Dan. Fergus Burke would add the sixth and final try.
Bath can now look forward to a semi-final against Bristol on Friday at the Recreation Ground.
'Bristol are a good side. It's a one-off, it becomes a pressure game and the winner takes it all and gets to Twickenham,' said Johann van Graan, Bath's director of rugby.
'Both teams have evolved this season. We played them a few weeks ago in the Principality so I think the beauty of a semi-final is it doesn't matter what you've done.
'It doesn't matter what happened before, it's a new venue, new ball, new referee, two totally different teams and it's the knockouts. It's what we've worked the whole season for and we can't wait.'