Disgraced fly-half linked to replace Owen Farrell as Racing 92’s price tag set

Further details of Owen Farrell’s potential move to Racing 92 have surfaced while Saracens enter the market for a replacement fly-half.

The Top 14 club denied reports that they were in talks with the England star, who captained his country at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

However, on Saturday, Racing 92 Stuart Lancaster was coy when questioned about the rumours surrounding Farrell’s future.

Farrell’s move will come at a cost

If Racing 92 do manage to secure the services of the Saracens captain, they will need to loosen the purse strings and not just for the hefty salary expectations that Farrell will have.

According to a report in The Rugby Paper, the Parisian club would need to fork out €600,000 (£515,000) to buy Farrell out of the remaining two seasons of his current deal with Saracens.

While the hefty price tag would scare off most clubs, the report adds that the two parties are still locked in talks, and Racing 92 have secured similar deals in the past for the likes of Gael Fickou and Cameron Woki.

A move to the Top 14 would make Farrell ineligible for England under the RFU’s current selection policies, while the 32-year-old has confirmed that he is taking a break from representing his country and will miss the 2024 Six Nations, at least.

Outside a handful of appearances for Bedford Blues, Farrell has spent his entire career at Saracens.

Potential replacements

Meanwhile, Saracens are looking at potential replacements for Farrell if he does opt to depart the London-based club.

One of the names reportedly on their shortlist is former London Irish fly-half Paddy Jackson, a recruit who will prove to be controversial. The ex-Ireland international, along with Stuart Olding, Blane McIlroy and Rory Harrison, was arrested and questioned about allegations of rape and sexual assault in 2017.

While he was found not guilty in March 2018 and returned to rugby with Perpignan, he has proved to be an unpopular figure in Ireland and England, particularly during his more recent stint with London Irish.

Following the collapse of the Exiles, Jackson sealed a move to Lyon and could be on his way back to the Premiership to fill Farrell’s void, according to The Rugby Paper.

He is not the only pivot the defending Premiership champions are reportedly interested in, with Italian international Paolo Garbisi on their radar.

Garbisi is currently plying his trade in the Top 14 with Montpellier, and much like Farrell, the Italian has featured in the centres for his side. With Louis Carbonel also on the French side’s payroll, along with rising star Louis Foursans, Montpellier can afford to lose a fly-half, particularly as they look to rebuild after a horrid season that sees them in threat of relegation.

Saracens will reportedly face competition for Garbisi’s signature from his former employers, Benetton, while the Premiership side is also looking to add an additional number 10 to their books as a back-up to whoever is their first-choice.

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