The England fly-half Owen Farrell is set to play for the World XV against France on June 22 at the Athletic Club’s San Mames stadium in Bilbao. This news was announced on Friday, with Farrell eager to feature in the match, which will be his first time playing for an invitation team like the World XV.
Farrell expressed his excitement about playing alongside players he usually competes against for club and country, such as Semi Radradra, Camille Lopez, and Maxime Machenaud. His last appearance for England was in the World Cup bronze medal match against Argentina on October 27. During his absence from the international scene, he took a step back to focus on his and his family’s mental well-being.
The World XV will be led by former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, with Billy and Mako Vunipola also featuring in the team. Foster expressed his delight at having a player of Farrell’s ability, leadership, and experience on the team. Despite not playing for England recently, Farrell’s presence and leadership on the pitch have been widely recognized. His involvement in the match against France is anticipated to be significant in setting the tone and driving standards while contributing to the team’s performance both in training and on match day.
