Austin Healey on Owen Farrell’s rumoured Racing 92 switch - ‘A good move for his bank balance and psyche’

Austin Healey has weighed in on the rumour linking Owen Farrell with a move from Gallagher Premiership Rugby side Saracens to Racing 92 in the summer.

French outlet L’Equipe earlier reported that the fly-half is in "very advanced discussions" to join the Top 14 side.

Racing 92 released a statement on the matter, admitting they were "delighted with the appeal for our club" before insisting no agreement was in place with the Englishman.

Farrell recently announced he was going to skip the upcoming Six Nations to prioritise his and his family’s mental health.

Steve Borthwick said he was "hopeful" he would be able to call on Farrell again soon, but if the fly-half, who has made more than 200 appearances for the Saracens, opts to swap the Premiership for France’s Top 14, he will no longer be eligible for international selection.

Should it happen, Healey admitted it would herald “the end of an era” but also said it would be "a good move" for the 32-year-old in more ways than one.

“I love that statement, we have a beautiful club, we like that you like our club, and Owen hasn't actually quite signed yet, but it sounds like he might be talking to us,” Healey said on TNT Sports.

“In a lot of ways that's quite sad, not for Owen and I think it'd be a brilliant opportunity, but for Saracens. They've given him a lot, he's given them a lot, so it'd be sad to see him leave Sarries.

“He's sort of been entwined with that place since he was a child and that'd be the end of an era.

“But maybe for him on personal grounds, I think it'd be quite a good move not only for his bank balance, but also for his psyche.”

A switch to the Top 14 side would see Farrell hook up with former England head coach Stuart Lancaster and David Flatman added that he could see the appeal of the move and said the French outfit would “be lucky to have him.”

“I am surprised because he's synonymous [with Saracens], he’s kind of Mr Sarries,” Flatman said. “Sarries are one of the great clubs and it seems to be one of the clubs that people really, really don't want to leave unless there's absolutely no space for them, so it surprises me from that point of view.

“Does it surprise me that he wants to go and play for Racing 92 with those coaches and with all those players for a bit if it's true? It absolutely doesn't surprise me.

“He's a great player, great man, they'd be lucky to have him. Good luck to him if he goes.”

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