Farrell not considered for England tour despite Saracens return

Instead of calling Owen Farrell for immediate duty in England, coach Steve Borthwick says he will allow him to re-enter Saracens this summer.

Farrell, 33, has reconnected with Premiership Saracens under a two-year deal, which will end his time with French side Racing 92 and put him back in the England rankings.

Borthwick’s side will travel to Argentina for two Tests before a one-off game against the United States in Washington in July.

Without the 13 first-choice players chosen for the British and Irish Lions’ Australian tour, they will continue.

Borthwick insists he won’t rush Farrell, who has made 112 appearances for England, back to strengthen the squad, though.

Charlie Atkinson serves as the backup specialist fly-half while George Ford, who is experienced, is on tour. Without the injured Ollie Lawrence and Fraser Dingwall, Farrell can also play midfield.

When asked if Farrell had been considered for the summer, Borthwick responded, “No, he wasn’t part of the plan.”

Borthwick, who led Farrell to Saracens at the tail end of his own career, claimed that he had kept in touch with him throughout a coaching slog in Paris that was hindered by illness and upheaval.

Only those who play rugby for their club in England are chosen, according to their national policy.

Henry Arundell, Farrell’s Racing team-mate, will return to the Premiership next season after agreeing to join Bath, who are currently champions.

We want our league to be the strongest and the best, said Borthwick, “we hope there will be more players coming back.”

Afolabi Fasogbon, a tight-head prop from Gloucester, has been added in place of Emmanuel Iyogun, who has a calf injury.

After Woki struck Jamie George in the head early in the second half, which television match official Mike Adamson reviewed and upgraded to a 20-minute red card.

However, a three-person panel, which was a first step in a new simplified disciplinary system, reviewed the incident and concluded that Woki’s behavior was of high risk.

Woki will start in France’s three-test series against New Zealand this summer. Rabah Slimani, a veteran prop for Leinster and the first time in nearly six years at Twickenham over the weekend, is also present.