Mar 28, 2024, 2:57 p.m. ET
After his participation in the World Cup 2023, Owen Farrell decided to move away from the international level and put his England national team eligibility on hold. Months later, It was known that the opening would take its services to Franceto be part of Racing 92. Now, It was revealed that he almost moved his talent to Rugby Leagueto the Wigan Warriors.
Kris Radlinski, CEO of Wigan Warriors, acknowledged that he had conversations with Owen Farrell about the English back moving his talents to Rugby League. “It’s been a part of my life for 20 years. He’s always been around our club and at our training, since he was a kid, and I always asked him: ‘Do you ever want to play for Wigan?'”, explained the CEO. It should be remembered that Radlinski is known to Andy Farrell, from when the Ireland coach played Rugby League between 1993 and 2005, before being hired by Saracens.
“The most recent conversation must have been from six or seven months ago, when his future at Saracens was uncertain and he had to make a decision”Radlinski commented. During that period of time, Farrell admitted his interest in Rugby League and admitted that “His first love was Rugby League, and he always wondered if he could do it and if it would be any good”.
Finally, he was honest when it came to talking about whether Owen Farrell could still join Wigan Warriors. “I think it’s a distant possibility now. He’s going to go to France for a few years. If you come back and play a new sport, it’s hard to keep up, even though you grew up playing it,” Radlinski said.
Radlinski is no stranger to changing sports, having been courted by Sir Clive Woodward in 2001, who wanted him at fullback in the England team that won the World Cup in 2003. He eventually turned down the offer to continue in Rugby League in Wigan, where he played more than 300 games between 1993 and 2006.
