FORMER England captain Nick Easter has backed Owen Farrell’s decision to potentially end his international career and pursue his French dream.
And the well-respected No.8, who won the Six Nations and starred at three World Cups across 54 caps for his country, believes the Rugby Football Union (RFU) needs to get their act together and tackle the problems with international selection head-on.
England’s record points scorer Farrell has made waves this week by confirming a lucrative two-year deal to play for top French outfit Racing 92.
The experienced fly-half, 32, capped 112 times by his country, decided to take a break from international duty after the World Cup, but unless the rules are looked at, is now ineligible to represent England again until mid-2026.
“He’s certainly one of the top five England players of all time, that’s without a shadow of a doubt,” said Easter. “I fully support and endorse his decision. I think it’s a great move for him.
“You only have to look at what he’s done for the game and, more importantly, what his team-mates and coaches think of him, and also the opposition.
“I can tell you, speaking to a lot of opposition players, they didn’t like seeing his name on the teamsheet because they had a lot of respect for him.
“And that’s despite a lot of the vitriol which he has received – and I know a lot was made of that in the past.
Denne historien er fra January 28, 2024-utgaven av Sunday Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 28, 2024-utgaven av Sunday Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Ligt at end of ETH tunnel
GOAL AFTER PENALTY MISS A HUGE TURNING POINT
Warning over cut-price surgery after six deaths
BUDGET cosmetic surgery in Turkey has prompted an official warning from the Government, after at least six British patients died last year.
MP Aphra: Dad Gyles is biggest fan
TORY MP Aphra Brandreth has called her father Gyles “her biggest champion”, after she won his former seat at July’s General Election.
Border vessel 'sits idle' as migrants cross the Channel
A BORDER Force vessel has been sitting idle at Dover for cleaning, despite huge numbers of migrants risking their lives to cross the Channel.
Cover-ups in the NHS must stop
HEALTH Secretary Wes Streeting has vowed to end a “culture of coverup” in the NHS.
Heroic pilot who would sacrifice his life to save comrades in dire need
THIS WEEK is the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem, one of the major encounters of the Second World War. For movie enthusiasts it will always be linked to the 1977 film A Bridge Too Far, directed by Richard Attenborough. Here, LORD ASHCROFT looks back on a real-life story of 'supreme valour and self-sacrifice' from Operation Market Garden.
Museum visitors took Klan selfies
COMPLAINTS about people posing for selfies with a Ku Klux Klan outfit on a mannequin has led a slavery museum to rethink its display.
Paw me a pint! Best pubs for dogs revealed
WHEN you want to buy a round for your hounds, a pub in Nottingham leads the pack – having just been crowned Britain’s best dog-friendly pub.
Boring, snooty, rude and nice ...Norton's verdict on stars
BRUTALLY honest Graham Norton has revealed his best and worst chat show guests ever – with both Robert De Niro and Madonna coming up short.
Trailing Trump in new refugee attack
DONALD Trump has come under fire for vowing to “liberate” US cities and order “large” deportations of illegal immigrants if he is elected – starting with one where he claims starving Haitians are eating pets.