Owen Farrell has continued to cool any speculation that he may be called into the British and Irish Lions squad, saying his “whole focus” is on Saracens.
The former England captain marked his return to the Gallagher Premiership earlier this month after a year in the Top 14 with Racing 92, triggering an avalanche of speculation that he is set to reignite his England career to go alongside the pre-existing chatter that he will be one of the extra players drafted into his father’s Lions squad.
But after a campaign in France that was punctuated by injuries, including a concussion that ended his season prematurely, the fly-half’s priority is about getting himself into a “good place” at Saracens before he thinks about any higher honours.
Joining his former Saracens team-mate Jim Hamilton on The Big Jim Show recently, the 33-year-old continued to distance himself from the “hypothetical” talk of a Lions call-up, but was loath to rule it out entirely.
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“I’m determined to get myself into a good place and that will be the starting point,” the treble Lions tourist said when asked about reviving his England career. “I know that this is the place to do that at Saracens and that’s my whole focus at the minute. Who knows the timeline on that?
“It’s all very hypothetical, but it’s the same message [regarding a Lions call-up]. My only point is ‘what am I doing now to make myself the best I can possibly feel?’ Then if something comes up, we’ll see.”
A return to the England fold over the coming months seems far more likely than being fast-tracked into the Lions set-up, given the year Farrell has had to date, which also included an adductor injury. Moreover, the manner in which he fondly looks back on his 112-cap England career suggests he would be keen on a return.
“I loved it,” he said. “I always loved every bit of it. I always loved going into camp. I always loved being around the best players from the Premiership. I always loved how intense camp was, how intense the Six Nations was, and everything that came with it.
“Going away and stuff was never a sacrifice to me because I loved being involved with that team and playing for England.”
