Owen Farrell opens up on his 'overwhelming' 2023 Rugby World Cup nightmare for the first time after re-signing for Saracens - and leaves door open for England return

Owen Farrell has revealed for the first time how he was overwhelmed by the criticism he received during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. 

Farrell, 33, came in for heavy criticism for his performances during the tournament despite England impressing en route to finishing in third place. 

The tournament saw the Red Rose missed out on a second World Cup after an agonising one-point defeat in the semi-finals to eventual champions South Africa. 

Following remarks about Farrell being an under-performer in the side, in the eyes of fans and pundits, the fly-half opted to step away from international duty after the toiurnament and has not played for England since. 

That also saw him leave his boyhood club Saracens at the end of the 2023-24 season to join French Top 14 side Racing 92. 

However, after just one season in the French capital, he announced on Monday that he would be returning to England after agreeing a two-year deal with Sarries. 

Speaking after news emerged that he would be leaving France after a solitary campaign, Farrell opened up on why he opted to take a break from the England set-up. 

He told The Telegraph: 'The World Cup was tough and I felt that this was not like it should be playing for my country, playing for England, I have loved playing for England throughout my career.

'I found the games a time to get away from everything else. The weeks were hard enough. It was getting on top of me, and it didn't feel right. It really didn't feel right and I don't want to ever make out that is what is it like to play for England because it was not. It was me. It was what I was going through. I don't know. A build-up of everything. I don't know how long for, it might have been years.

'I could make sense of it all individually. I could make sense of the criticism, I could make sense of the booing, and I could make sense of everything that was going on. But put it all together and it felt like it was non-stop. It was overwhelming.'

Farrell's return means he is available to be selected by England once again. Asked if hed be open to wearing the Red Rose again, Farrell stopped short of dismissing the idea. 'My only real thought so far is getting back to being happy and enjoying what I am doing and love my rugby again,' he added.

He could be drafted into the Lions squad, coached by his father Andy, in the event of an injury crisis during their eagerly-anticipated series against Australia.

The Lions will play Argentina in a warm-up match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday before jetting off Down Under. 

They will then play a series of warm-up matches before the first Test gets underway at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on July 19.