Farrell's rival backs Netflix show to change public opinion of England fly-half

23 January 2024 , 09:00

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Owen Farrell has stepped away from England duty to protect his mental health (Image: Franco Arland/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Scotland star Finn Russell believes the upcoming Netflix documentary Six Nations: Full Contact could change the perception of Owen Farrell, who has stepped away from England duty to "prioritise his and his family's mental well-being".

The England fly-half has chosen to leave the international arena, with no date specified for any return. Farrell became his country's all-time leading points scorer at the World Cup last autumn but has endured a mixed relationship with the public.

Farrell was booed by his own fans when his name was announced before the World Cup quarter-final and he remains a divisive figure. But Russell, who has his own section in the documentary at home with his family, believes an insight into what players are like as people could help change the view of the Saracens star.

He said: "I think a lot players are different off the pitch to what they are on it. I only went on one Lions Tour with Faz [Farrell] and he's a real competitor, does everything he can to win a game, but off the pitch he's a nice guy and I got on with him really well. He was a family man and that's just Faz.

"It is a side no one has really seen, so it will probably change the way people target players on social media if they know that off the pitch he's completely different.

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"I think it will be a good thing to see to see what players are like off the pitch, when I went on that Lions tour you think I might not like this guy, but when you become friends with them they're very different."

Farrell's future in England is now uncertain amid talk of a move to French side Racing 92, which would rule him out of playing for his country full stop. The fly-half has reportedly held talks with the Paris-based outfit and their Head Coach Stuart Lancaster has refused to deny the speculation.

Finn Russell is confident the Netflix show can change people's perceptions

His Saracens coach, Mark McCall, insists he would understand if Farrell wanted to end his long association with the London side and pursue a new chapter. “Having stepped down from England, if he decided him and his family want a new experience elsewhere, who could blame him?” McCall told the BBC.

McCall, in the wake of the news that Farrell had decided to make himself unavailable for England, launched a strong defence of the treatment faced by the fly-half. “He is a person who is right on top of his game at the moment, yet he and his family have been made to feel the way they feel. It is shameful. It’s not right.

“There was a narrative created and started and that’s been there for quite some time. There’s only so much that someone can take."

Samuel Meade