Owen Farrell: England did not consider summer tour call-up

Coach Steve Borthwick says he will allow Owen Farrell to settle back into life at Saracens this summer, rather than calling him up for an immediate return to England duty.

Farrell, 33, has signed a two-year deal with Premiership side Saracens, ending his stint at French side Racing 92 and bringing him back into England reckoning.

This July, Borthwick’s side will take on Argentina away in two Tests before a one-off match against the United States in Washington.

They will do so without 13 first-choice players who have been selected for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

However, Borthwick says he won’t rush Farrell, who has 112 appearances for England, back to fortify the squad.

While the experienced George Ford is on tour, uncapped Charlie Atkinson is the back-up specialist fly-half. Farrell can also play in midfield, where England are without the injured Ollie Lawrence and Fraser Dingwall

“No, he wasn’t part of the plan,” said Borthwick, when asked by Rugby Union Weekly whether Farrell had been under consideration for the summer.

“Owen has been on record saying he just wants to get back playing and get settled with his family back in Hertfordshire, and we wish him all the best with that.”