Owen Farrell: Saracens captain says 'time feels right' to move to Racing 92

Owen Farrell has taken a break from England action but would be eligible for the British & Irish Lions Tour in Australia in 2025

Owen Farrell says the "time feels right" to leave Saracens but is aiming to finish on a high with the club.

The 32-year-old England fly-half will join French Top 14 side Racing 92 on a two-year deal in July.

The club captain joined Sarries aged 14 and is on course to make his 250th appearance against Harlequins on 23 March.

"Going in to the back end of the year we are looking to make it the best we can," he told the club website.

He made his first-team debut for the north London club in 2008, aged 17, and became English professional rugby's then youngest ever player.

Farrell also stayed with the team through the 2020-21 season when they were relegated to the Championship because of salary cap breaches and was made captain of the side in 2021.

He won six Premiership titles, to go with the Champions Cups he lifted in 2016, 2017 and 2019.

Last season he kicked 13 points as Saracens beat Sale in the Premiership final at Twickenham.

"It has never been taken for granted playing for this club," England's record points scorer added.

"Going in to the back end of the year we are looking to make it the best we can, and I can't wait to enjoy that over the coming months.

"It is tough to be leaving a place that has been my home since I was 14.

"It has been a difficult decision but it is an exciting one for our family. For the first time ever we thought it would be good to go and experience something different, and the time feels right."

In November he announced he was taking a break from international rugby to "prioritise his mental wellbeing" and stepped down as England captain.

He will be ineligible for England selection following his move to France under current Rugby Football Union rules for overseas based players.

"Everyone at the club knows we have been privileged to work with a once-in-a-generation player," said Sarries director of rugby Mark McCall.

"Owen has been the heartbeat of Saracens since his debut and central to all the club has achieved. He will always be part of the Saracens family."

The club is planning a series of tributes to Farrell before the end of the season, including in the derby against Quins, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in March.

'It is the right thing for him to do'

Farrell's Saracens and England teammate Elliot Daly says it is a "sad day" for club and country to lose one of the "best English players of all time".

"When any player leaves, they will be missed," Daly told BBC Sport. "We have to fill in that hole but I think we have adapted really well.

"He's probably on of the best English players of all time, so it is a sad day but we have a really good senior leadership team [at England] with Jamie George."

"Hopefully I can visit him in France."

Speaking to BBC Sport, England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth added: "Owen is the greatest Saracens player ever.

"He has earned everything he has done in the game."