Owen Farrell's club boss Mark McCall has described treatment of him as “shameful” and “not right” after the England captain announced he was taking a break from international rugby.
Farrell's club Saracens, where McCall has been director of rugby since 2011, revealed the news in a statement on their website on Wednesday which explained that the fly-half had taken the step back “in order to prioritise his and his family's mental well-being”.
McCall is hopeful that the reason behind the break serves as a wake-up call to Farrell's detractors, who were particularly strong in their criticism in the lead-up to and during the early part of the Rugby World Cup.
“He is a person who is right on top of his game at the moment, yet he and his family have been made to feel the way they feel,” McCall said. “It is shameful. It's not right.
“I've worked with Owen for 15 years, every day, and the person that has been portrayed in the media bears no resemblance to the person I know. He's a family man, they've always come first.
“There was a narrative created and started and that's been there for quite some time. There's only so much that someone can take.
“On top of that, he's a brilliant, caring, supportive team-mate and a loyal friend to many. And a very good, decent human being. That's the person I know.”
Even before McCall's comments, the news that Farrell was taking a break from the international game for the foreseeable future sparked debate and reflection over the pressure exerted on him between August and October.
Locked in a three-way battle for the England number ten shirt with George Ford and Marcus Smith, carrying the captaincy of a team struggling badly before the World Cup, and facing particular personal scrutiny for his performances and bans for red-carded high tackles, Farrell came under the spotlight across the rugby media and was the subject of abuse both on social media and from fans in the stands.
Given that burden McCall praised Farrell for the performances he put in during the World Cup – a tournament he ended as top points scorer – and the bravery of taking Wednesday's decision, with the former Ulster and Ireland player solely focussed on Farrell's wellbeing and not worried if he will be available for European Champions Cup trips or not.
“It's remarkable that he played the way he played during the World Cup, if we take into account how he was feeling,” McCall added.
“It was courageous and brave of him to open up. I admire Owen for many reasons anyway, but even more for doing this.
“I'm not worried about Europe or the club at all. I'm worried about Owen. We want him to be OK and happy. Clearly he hasn't been.”
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