Siya Kolisi exclusive: Racing 92 flanker 'so excited' to link up with 'amazing' Owen Farrell next season
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Updated 22/03/2024 at 17:27 GMT
Owen Farrell is on the move this summer as he will leave Saracens to join Top 14 side Racing 92, and Siya Kolisi exclusively tells TNT Sports that he is "so excited" to welcome the former England skipper. Farrell is leaving Saracens after 16 years to link up with Kolisi, who is a back-to-back World Cup winner after leading the Springboks to success in October.
Siya Kolisi of South Africa embraces Owen Farrell of England following the during the Rugby World Cup France 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images
Siya Kolisi says he is "so excited" to link up with Owen Farrell when the former England captain joins him at Racing 92 this summer.
Farrell is preparing to leave Gallagher Premiership side Saracens following 16 years after signing a two-year deal with the Paris-based Top 14 club.
The 32-year-old will go down as a Sarries legend, having won six Premiership titles and two European Player of the Year awards during his time with the team.
Speaking to TNT Sports' Ugo Monye, South Africa captain Kolisi couldn't contain his excitement when thinking about playing with Farrell.
He said: "I can’t wait. I love Owen, I think he’s amazing. He’s more detailed than I think I am in a game, so in that way he can push the guys and keep the guys accountable.
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"He has run big teams before. The England team and Saracens have done such great things so I think it will be great to have him.
"A lot of people never thought they would see us in the same team but I can’t wait, I’m honestly excited, I think it’ll be great for the group."
An icon himself, having led the Springboks to back-to-back World Cup titles, Kolisi added: "I don’t know what I can teach him but I’m sure I can teach him a few things."
Kolisi has settled nicely into life in France, having left Sale Sharks for the capital club on a three-year deal following the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
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Racing92's South African flanker Siya Kolisi looks on during the French Top14 rugby union match between Union Bordeaux-Begles (UBB) and Racing 92.
Image credit: Getty Images
He made his debut for Racing 92 in November, playing his part in a statement win over La Rochelle, and the 32-year-old is enjoying his new surroundings.
"I love it, it’s beautiful," he said of France. "It’s different in the sense that we can do whatever we like, go to any restaurant. It’s a bit different in the way that in South Africa, people will still know us.
"I do enjoy it a lot but it’s also different. Us and the kids enjoy it, but the language is something that I have to get used to it, it’s difficult."
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