'A shock to everyone' - Jamie George says Owen Farrell leaving Saracens for Racing 92 would be a 'very big loss'

Jamie George says speculation surrounding the future of Saracens and England team-mate Owen Farrell has been a “shock to absolutely everyone”.

It has been reported that fly-half Farrell could be set for a summer move to French side Racing 92.

That would bring an end to more than 15 years at Saracens and make him ineligible for international selection, with only players based in England currently able to be picked.

"We don't know whether he's leaving or not," George told the BBC.

"The speculation only broke recently so it came as a shock to absolutely everyone.

"I think Owen's quite a private person generally. Myself and Owen are very close so it's something we probably will have a conversation about but I haven't spoken to him about it yet.

"Ultimately it's his decision, whatever he wants to do, whether he stays or goes.

"I know he's going to be choosing the right thing for him and his family."

Racing 92 have denied having an agreement in place with Farrell, who is taking a break from international rugby to protect his mental wellbeing.

“Obviously he would be a very big loss to everyone at Saracens because of the player and character he is, but there’s no guarantee that he is going,” George added to the Guardian.

“He’s given so much to the club, so much to the game and so much to English rugby as a whole.

“He deserves to make his own decision and whatever he decides to do he has the full support of everyone at the club.”

TNT Sports expert Brian O’Driscoll believes the scrutiny and “abuse” that Farrell has faced of late is behind his reported move to Racing 92.

“He's got young kids, maybe he just needs a break away from it,” said O’Driscoll.

“Not that he wants to re-find love for the game but reading between the lines, I think the abuse that he's taken over the course of the last 18 months has really taken its toll.

“Maybe it feels as though it's an opportunity to escape that for a while, live in another city and have a great time with his young family.

With Farrell missing the upcoming Six Nations, George is among the leading candidates to replace him as captain.

“I’m hugely flattered to be in the conversation,” he said.

“Obviously I’ve played with Owen my entire life so captaincy is something that has always fallen to him, and rightly so because he’s incredible.

“I have led teams before so it is something that I would really embrace and really enjoy.”

England start their Six Nations campaign in Italy on February 3.

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing, NBA and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media