Latest news with #OwenFarrell
The South African
2 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Three Springboks in new list of best-paid rugby players
It's always interesting to see where rugby players might rank when it comes to earnings, particularly considering how numerous Springboks continue to ply their trade overseas, while Japan remains a particularly lucrative destination. In a comprehensive study released by , some noteworthy figures have certainly been pinpointed in a ranking of the 30 highest-paid rugby players in the world for the 2024/25 campaign. 'Their latest report is more than just a list; it's a deep dive into the evolving economics of the sport. They've uncovered the definitive earning figures, year-over-year changes, and the strategic moves that are reshaping player value and the global balance of power,' read a statement explaining the fascinating list of player incomes in rugby. At the top of the list, the highest paid rugby players in the world for 2024/25 is France-based Englishman Owen Farrell, reportedly earning a whopping £1.2m (R29m) at Racing 92. The report lists three Springboks: Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) and Siya Kolisi (Sharks), in fourth, fifth and sixth respectively on £930k (R22.5m), £900k (R21.8m), £808k (R19.6). You can read the full breakdown here 1 Owen Farrell – £1.2m2 Richie Mo'unga – £1.04m3 Finn Russell – £1m4 Cheslin Kolbe – £930k5 Faf de Klerk – £900k6 Siya Kolisi – £808k7 Dan Biggar – £800k8 Maro Itoje – £800k9 Beauden Barrett – £780k 10 Antoine Dupont – £700k
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Saracens open door to Owen Farrell return — but with two big stumbling blocks
Owen Farrell 's return to Saracens rugby next season moved a step closer after boss Mark McCall revealed the former England captain could be recruited as injury cover. Farrell has experienced a disappointing debut campaign at Racing 92, marred by a groin injury and the club's poor form, leading to reports that he is plotting a route back into the Premiership by ending his contract a year early. Saracens are permitted to bring in a reinforcement to fill the gap created in the squad by Alex Lozowski 's achilles injury, which will sideline the versatile fly-half and centre until Christmas, while the retirement of veteran playmaker Alex Goode has thinned the options further. It raises the prospect of Farrell rejoining his only English club, but McCall admitted there are several hurdles that must first be navigated - including the fact that the 33-year-old has to be paid the same as Lozowski and agreement over a transfer fee. "We think we're a bit vulnerable at 10," said McCall, whose side failed to qualify for the Premiership play-offs despite a 36-26 home victory over Bath on Saturday. "The way the process works is you compile a list of people you think might be suitable. "Owen wasn't on the list 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. "A couple of things have to happen. One, Racing have to let him go and they've got to let him go for a price which a club is willing to pay. And secondly he's got to accept a salary which is less than he's on. "If Owen comes on to the list, he looks like a pretty good option on the list because of the value for money that he would bring." Farrell spent 16 years at Saracens before heading across the Channel in 2024 and McCall believes England's record points scorer and veteran of 112 caps would provide a vital service by helping develop Saracens' young fly-halves Fergus Burke and Louie Johnson. "It's not just about having talent, it's about being able to think properly on the field. Owen's obviously one of the best at that," McCall said. "Owen 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. For our young talents who are developing, it could be a great thing to have him there." Runaway Premiership leaders Bath will face Bristol in their semi-final at the Recreation Ground on Friday night and head coach Johann van Graan welcomed the renewal of a fierce West Country rivalry. "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," Van Graan said. "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."
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Saracens keen to end Owen Farrell's French exile with the former England captain eyed as a possible injury replacement for Alex Lozowski
As the season highlights played on the big screens in the corners of the StoneX Stadium after the final whistle, it was hard not to feel that Owen Farrell 's return could be the best thing to happen to Saracens. And when Mark McCall took the microphone to debrief on the club's fruitless campaign, it became clear that their iconic No 10 could return sooner than anticipated. It is no secret that Racing 92 and Farrell are ready to go their separate ways and McCall, in a remarkably honest press conference, claimed it would be 'a great thing' if he decided to come home to north London. Saracens are entitled to sign an additional back as injury cover for Alex Lozowski and this week's news that Racing are ready to sell Farrell out of his contract — for a reported fee of €500,000 (£422,000) — could provide the perfect candidate. '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,' said McCall. '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. Alex Lozowski, who's our next 10, is injured until Christmas. 'So we feel a bit vulnerable there. We've got Fergus [Burke], we've got Louis [Johnson] 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've got to let him go for a price which some club, us included, are willing to pay. And that's a small amount. And secondly, he's got to accept a salary which is less than he's on. 'He's not on the list yet, because he's under contract. If he comes onto the list, he looks like a pretty good option, because of the value for money that he would be.' Aside from the two years when Saracens were engulfed in the salary cap scandal, this is the first time the club have missed out on the play-offs since 2009. It has been a season that has been lacking in bite. They have missed Farrell's aggressive consistency and that was evident as their campaign concluded with a limp victory against a heavily rotated Bath team featuring seven young debutants. 'It's not just about having talent, it's about being able to think properly on the field,' added McCall. 'I know Owen's obviously one of the best at that. Him 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. He doesn't have to play 10, he can play other positions as well. So for our young talents who are developing, it could be a great thing to have him there.'
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Saracens confirm Farrell ‘noises' as rebuild starts now
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 — Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 31, 2025 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.'
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Saracens discuss Farrell return with Racing
Saracens have held talks with Racing 92 about a possible return for former club captain Owen Farrell, Sarries director of rugby Mark McCall England skipper Farrell moved to the French club last summer, having spent his career to that point in north London."I think there are some discussions with Racing as to whether or not they would release him from his contract," McCall told TNT Sports after his side's final day win over are looking to recruit cover with Alex Lozowski set to be out long term due to an Achilles injury suffered at the end of club ended an inconsistent season sixth in the Premiership with their 36-26 victory over an under-strength Bath side at StoneX Stadium on was just the third time Saracens have finished outside the top four since who has 112 England caps and has represented his country in three World Cups, was one of a number of senior players to depart the club last year including Mako and Billy Vunipola. 'He can only join our list if they let him go' Farrell made 256 appearances in a trophy-laden career in north London, winning six Premiership titles and three European Champions Cups - including the double in 2015-16 and last match for the club was a 22-20 defeat to eventual champions Northampton Saints in last season's has made 17 appearances for Racing this season as he has dealt with injuries and form."When Alex [Lozowski] got his injury up at Leicester, you are allowed to bring in an injury dispensation for that player because he's [going to be] out for such a long time," McCall said."We need to bring someone in in his position and someone who we can afford in this position, who's going to get a smaller salary than that player."We compile a list and as far as I know Owen's contracted to Racing, so he can only join that list if they are prepared to let him go."
