England's Farrell to play for World XV against France
By AFP
April 26, 2024 07:33 PM
Former England captain Owen Farrell will line up for a World XV when it takes on France in Bilbao on June 22, the match organisers announced on Friday.
The 32-year-old fly-half has been in international exile since leading England to third place at last year's World Cup in France.
When this season finishes he will end his time at Saracens which stretches back to 2008 to join French Top 14 side Racing 92.
"The World XV continues to recruit world-class stars and the latest to confirm his presence in the team is England fly-half Owen Farrell," the organisers wrote in a statement.
The World XV, which will have former All Blacks coach Ian Foster at the helm, already boasts two of Farrell's former teammates for club and country, Mako Vunipola and his brother Billy.
Fijian flier Semi Radradra and former France half-backs Maxime Machenaud and Camille Lopez, as well as Japan prop Tevita Tatafu, have also agreed to play for the World XV.
The match will act as a warm-up for France, who will be missing players involved in the final four of the Top 14, ahead of their summer tour of South America, where they will play two Tests against Argentina and one against Uruguay.