Owen Farrell returns to Lions squad after mental health break
- Owen Farrell was called up to the Lions squad due to Elliot Daly's injury during their tour in Australia.
- He had taken a break from rugby to prioritize his mental wellbeing after a challenging experience in the 2023 World Cup.
- Andy Farrell urged fans to support Owen and move past the negativity associated with his previous performances.
In July 2025, Owen Farrell has been called up to the British and Irish Lions squad for their tour in Australia. This decision follows a break he took from international rugby after the 2023 World Cup, where he prioritized his mental wellbeing due to the significant negativity he faced, including being booed by fans and targeted on social media. His father, Andy Farrell, the Lions head coach, firmly supported this decision, urging fans to back Owen and put aside the past negativity. Farrell's return was necessitated by an injury to Elliot Daly, a key player who had to leave the tour due to a fractured forearm. Owen Farrell, 33 years old, brings considerable experience to the squad, with 112 international caps and a history of captaining England. Although his recent season at Racing 92 was marred by injuries and inconsistent performance, Andy Farrell emphasized that Owen is fit for selection, having trained rigorously in preparation for the tour. His past criticism and experiences, particularly during the World Cup, were acknowledged by Andy Farrell as a