Owen Farrell knows a thing or two about perfect timing. That’s especially true when he recently got the call to rejoin the British & Irish Lions as a replacement for the injured Elliot Daly right before the Test series against Australia.
After a tough season in France with Racing 92, it's the right moment for Farrell to get back to what he does best. With Marcus Smith in the squad, the Lions have two almost polar-different fly-halves to cover for Daly. The call-up's Farrell's fourth Lions tour, so he has been around and knows what it takes to win on the big stage. But who really is Owen Farrell?
Who is Owen Farrell?
Owen Farrell was born in 1991 in Billinge Higher End, Greater Manchester, to a full-blooded rugby family. His father, Andy Farrell, is a dual-code legend who played rugby league and union for England. Andy now coaches the Irish Lions.
In his father's footsteps, Owen got his feet wet with rugby league at 8 with Wigan St Patricks. Everything changed for him when his father signed with Saracens, and they had to move to Harpenden in Hertfordshire. Though not happy at first, he switched to rugby union and adapted quickly.
Farrell went to St John Fisher Catholic High School and St George's School before earning his BA (Hons) in Business from the University of Hertfordshire.
Rugby talent runs in the family. Owen's uncle, Sean O'Loughlin, captained both the Wigan Warriors and the Lions. His cousins Liam and Connor Farrell are also pro rugby players. Owen has two younger sisters, Elleshia and Gracie, and a younger brother, Gabriel.
Playing club rugby union
Farrell made his professional debut for Saracens just 11 days after his 17th birthday in October 2008, as the youngest player ever to appear in English professional rugby union at the time.
After a loan spell with Bedford Blues in the 2010/11 season, he returned to Saracens and helped them win their first Premiership title. He was man of the match in the final, kicking five penalties and converting James Short's try for 17 points in their 22-18 victory over Leicester Tigers.
From there, Owen became the backbone of what’s now called the golden era at Saracens. He won six Premiership titles with the club (2011, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2023) and three European Champions Cup trophies (2016, 2017, 2019). He stayed at his boyhood club until his summer 2024 move to Racing 92.
His Paris stint never really worked out, as a groin injury kept him on the bench, and then a concussion knocked him out for over two months. When the opportunity came to return to Saracens in June 2025, Farrell jumped at it, signing a five-year deal as player-coach.
Equally colourful international career
Farrell's England career started in 2012 when Stuart Lancaster picked him for his first game as head coach against Scotland in the Six Nations. At just 20, Owen was the youngest player in the squad but showed no nerves. He kicked well and quickly established himself as a key player.
His breakthrough came in December 2012 when he faced Dan Carter and the All Blacks. Farrell scored 17 points in the Lions' record-breaking victory over New Zealand. He was nominated for IRB Player of the Year that season.
Farrell played in every minute of England's 2016 Grand Slam, where he won and finished as the tournament's top scorer with 69 points. He also helped in England's 3-0 series victory in Australia that summer.
When Dylan Hartley's injury problems mounted, Farrell took over as England captain in 2018. He captained the Lions to the 2019 World Cup final but lost to South Africa. During his captaincy, he became one of only four England captains to beat the Big Three (South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia).
Farell took a short hiatus from international rugby after the Lions finished 3rd at the 2023 World Cup.
Life off the pitch
Farrell might be intense on the field but quite private after the final whistle. He's married to his longtime girlfriend Georgie Lyon, with whom they have two sons.
As far as charity goes, Farell is right in the mix. He supports Duchenne UK, a muscular dystrophy charity. That's why he often celebrates every point he scores by making a 'JJ' sign with his cross fingers.
What is Owen Farrell's net worth?
Owen Farrell doesn't just know how to make big plays and cash in from his Rugby Union career. The 33-year-old also knows a thing or two about cushioning his net worth. After all, he is a business graduate from Hertfordshire University.
Owen made his debut at 17 for Saracens, where he spent a little over one and a half decades, winning six Premiership titles and three European trophies with the North London club. With such a long, colourful, and win-laden club career, it's no wonder his net worth sits at upwards of £2 million.
His move to Racing 92 in 2024 saw him pocket around £685,000 per year before he cut his French stint short. Returning to Saracens came with a pay cut, but Farrell has always been smart with his money. In April 2020, he deferred £300,000 of his wages to help Saracens through their COVID troubles. That kind of loyalty doesn't go unnoticed.
The fly-half has built his wealth through more than just club contracts. His England career brought in serious money over the years. Then there are the endorsement deals. Castore signed him up in December 2020 for a long-term partnership that includes his own signature boot and clothing range.
Owen has also worked with Investec since 2018 as a brand ambassador for their corporate banking division. Before all that, he was wearing Nike boots. With the Lions' call-up, he might soon cut endorsement deals, especially with apparel brands, telcos, and providers of free casino games and sports betting.
