Stuart Lancaster backs Owen Farrell to be part of 2027 Rugby World Cup campaign

Racing 92 boss Stuart Lancaster has backed Owen Farrell to be part of England's 2027 Rugby World Cup campaign despite his move to the French club.

Farrell made his England debut in 2012 when Lancaster was the head coach and was part of their squad that reached the final of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and led them to the semi-final of the 2023 World Cup where they lost to the eventual champions South Africa with a 16-15 margin.

He has overall featured for England in 112 Tests but will be ineligible to represent them after signing a two-year contract with French club Racing 92 as the selection policy of the Rugby Football Union does not allow players plying trade overseas.

Nevertheless, Lancaster citing the example of former Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton believes the 32-year-old still has a lot to offer for England and is backing him to be part of their 2027 Rugby World Cup campaign.

"(I) don't know if it does…It depends on what he and Steve (Borthwick) thinks," Lancaster told Sky Sports.

"He's signed for two years so that takes him up to 2026. Johnny Sexton played for Ireland and Leinster until he was 38, Owen is 32. So he's definitely got 2027 in him for sure. I would never say never, Owen won't and why should he?

"Owen had a big part to play in the decision making about coming here. Things didn't go well at the Rugby World Cup (for him) and for me the same thing happened in 2015 and the best thing I did was to go to Ireland.

"I hope he ends up back in England as a player or a coach, but a couple of years here will do good just like for Jonny Wilkinson when he went to Toulon."