Lime bikes, Power Rangers and raw eggs... How Owen Farrell has settled into life in France - as former England captain gets ready for first match since moving to Racing 92
There were a few stunned bystanders when Owen Farrell was spotted cycling around Paris on a Lime bike, disguised as a Power Ranger. His first few weeks in the French capital have been anything but ordinary and the initiation at his new club set the tone.At training this week, the former England captain took part in a drill that involved catching raw eggs without breaking the shell. It was all part of the plan to hone the soft hands required for silky French rugby.Having moved from Hertfordshire last month, Farrell is miles out of his comfort zone. His young family have settled on the outskirts of the city where his two sons, Tommy and Freddie, have already started the autumn term at their new international school. Learning French is part of the curriculum and Farrell himself has integrated two hours of lessons into his new weekly training programme. It is safe to say he will be more interested in picking up rugby terminology than sculpting a Parisian accent.Farrell spent more than half of his life at Saracens and this is a leap into the unknown. It came as a shock when the news about his move to Racing 92 broke in January. Farrell had followed his father, Andy, to the club in 2005 and most people thought he would never leave. Owen Farrell's first few weeks in the French capital have been anything but ordinary Farrell spent more than half of his life at Saracens and the move to Racing 92 this season is a leap into the unknown Farrell had followed his father, Andy (pictured), to the English club in 2005 and most people thought he would never leaveYet discussions had been going on for months privately. It had been at the back of his mind ever since he became a target for social media abuse following a red card for a high tackle during England's World Cup warm-up game against Wales.The abuse, described by his father as a 'disgusting circus', impacted his family and after the World Cup Farrell decided they had suffered enough. He announced his sabbatical from international rugby at the end of November, by which point Racing 92 had already been in touch.'We knew well in advance, because it was linked to Owen stepping down from international rugby,' Saracens coach Mark McCall told Mail Sport. 'That was the first decision he took and he let us know that before it became public. That sparked thoughts about where the best place was for him going forward.'Racing 92's head coach Stuart Lancaster reached out to the No 10. He handed Farrell his England debut in 2012 and they had remained in touch ever since.There was a year left on Farrell's Saracens contract, but Racing's owner — Swiss property billionaire Jacky Lorenzetti — was prepared to pay half a million euros to buy him out of the deal. The club previously failed in moves for Beauden Barrett and Marcus Smith and Lorenzetti was determined not to miss out again.'Owen was very open and honest about what was going on in his head,' added McCall. 'He told us what the possibilities were and, if he were to explore them, whether he would have the backing of the club to get out of his contract.'You've got to remember what it was linked to — the difficult six months Owen had previously. It wasn't just a simple situation.'Everyone senior at the club wanted to support whatever he wanted 100 per cent because of what he's given to the club.' Racing 92's head coach Stuart Lancaster reached out to the No 10 amid a difficult period The club previously failed in a move for Beauden Barrett (pictured) and Jacky Lorenzetti was determined not to miss out again 'Owen rang around people at Saracens individually to tell them,' said ex-team-mate Ben EarlWith the help of two agents, one in England and another in France, a severance deal was agreed and Farrell signed a contract worth £675,000-per-year.'Owen rang around people at Saracens individually to tell them,' said former team-mate Ben Earl. 'I think a few people who are closer to his missus had an inkling, but that was the first I heard of it. It was a shame, but we were all behind him.'This week, Farrell revealed he would not have left Saracens for any other club. He trained with Jonny Wilkinson during the final weeks of last season and the retired fly-half offered a sounding board about his own experiences of life in France with Toulon.Read More Henry Slade reveals plan to play in England's November Tests as he steps up injury recovery A surprise Premiership defeat by Sale meant Saracens missed out on a home semi-final, so Farrell was never given a proper farewell at his home ground. His club crashed out in the play-offs and suddenly his time was up.'We had a couple of leaving dos for him,' added Earl. 'After his last home game, against Sale, his whole family came over and we went out for some drinks in Harpenden until quite early in the morning.'The last two days of the season, the Saturday and Sunday after the Saints game, were pretty special. Alex Lewington got him a beret and he wore it with a grimace!'Farrell went on a golf holiday to Northern Ireland with Lewington and Alex Lozowski, playing Royal Portrush with former Lions team-mate Rory Best. There were plenty of emotional farewells, but life in France beckoned.A sense of familiarity helped with the move.Farrell lives a short drive from Paris Orly airport — easy access to the UK — and he has plenty of English company via Lancaster, winger Henry Arundell, fitness coach Bobby Stridgeon and team manager Paul Whitford. Steve Borthwick has even been out to visit. Farrell trained with Jonny Wilkinson during the final weeks of last season and the retired fly-half offered a sounding board about his own experiences Farrell went on a golf holiday to Northern Ireland with Lewington and Alex Lozowski, playing Royal Portrush with former Lions team-mate Rory Best (pictured) Farrell enjoyed a trip to watch the Olympics golf and was invited on a night out with South Africa captain Siya Kolisi in a bid to settle into his new teamFarrell enjoyed a trip to watch the Olympics golf and was invited on a night out with South Africa captain Siya Kolisi, who is also at Racing 92, and his wife to help settle in. 'We have a culture in Racing where we have a party to introduce new players,' said captain Gael Fickou. 'Owen came but he didn't drink and he went home because he was injured. He will sing after his first game!'He's exactly how I imagined him. He's here with a big family so life is simple — work, go home. He is very strict and that is a good thing for us. He's learning French but speaking English. He's very serious and disciplined and that is good for us.'Farrell will not play at the club's iconic La Defense Arena until October as it is being used as a temporary swimming pool for the Paralympics. This weekend he should make his debut in the less glamorous surroundings of Castres, a small town club known for its hostile atmosphere.'It's hard to prepare because there is not much video of Owen to analyse, but we know what style of rugby he can do,' said Castres' No 10 Pierre Popelin.'He is the picture of the player we love to hate. It is good to be hated because that means you are a big player who is really good. I don't think in Castres there will be respect for the kicker, but he knows his job.'It is a notoriously difficult ground to visit, but Farrell will be ready. He has been training with France's king of flair, Freddie Michalak, to prepare. Panache meets pragmatism — an unlikely union that could see the lad from Wigan winning the hearts of Paris.
