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Owen Farrell just made serious bank in salary-cap-stretching 5 year deal
By Christopher Devine
England fly-half Owen Farrell has committed his long-term future to European champions Saracens by signing a new five-year contract ahead of the 2017-18 Premiership season.
The deal is thought to be worth at least £750,000 per annum.
A nominee for World Rugby's player of the year award in 2016, Farrell has won three domestic titles with Saracens in addition to back-to-back European Champions Cups.
The 25-year-old toured with the British and Irish Lions for a second time this year, starting all three Tests as Warren Gatland's men earned a 1-1 series draw with New Zealand.
Farrell said of his fresh Saracens deal: "It's an opportunity to hopefully grow with this group again for the next few years; to get better and improve on what we've already done.
He added of his team-mates: "We've known each other for such a long time now. We're all best mates. To come through with them and be able to spend day in and day out with them, to share what we are doing, is the most important thing.
"This team has got a long way to go still. To see how far we can take it is exciting."
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall added: "Owen has developed into one of the leading players in world rugby since he graduated from the Saracens academy. He is one of our own, so for him to commit his long-term future to the club is huge news.
"We're delighted that he'll be extending his stay. He continues to set the standards as a player both for Saracens and on the international scene. The whole club is looking forward to seeing him excel in a Saracens shirt at Allianz Park over the coming years."
Farrell has made 152 appearances for Saracens since making his debut as a 17-year-old in 2008.
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Nice one John. I agree that defence (along with backfield kick receipt/positioning) remains their biggest issue, but that I did see some small improvements in it despite the scoreline like the additional jackal attempts from guys like tupou and the better linespeed in tight. But, I still see two issues - 1) yes they are jackaling, but as you point out they aren't slowing the ball down. I think some dark arts around committing an extra tackler, choke tackles, or a slower roll away etc could help at times as at the moment its too easy for oppo teams to get quick ball (they miss L wright). Do you have average ruck speed? I feel like teams are pretty happy these days to cop a tackle behind the ad line if they still get quick ball... and 2) I still think the defence wide of the 3-4th forward man out looks leaky and disconnected and if sua'ali'i is going to stay at 13 I think we could see some real pressure through that channel from other teams. The wallabies discipline has improved and so they are giving away less 3 pt opportunities and kicks into their 22 via penalty. Now, they need to be able to force teams to turnover the ball and hold them out. They scramble quite well once a break is made, but they seem to need the break to happen first... Hunter, marika and daugunu were other handy players to put ruck pressure on. Under rennie, they used to counter ruck quite effectively to put pressure on at the b/down as well.
Go to commentsYes, probably why he still annoys me even now
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