Owen Farrell to play for World XV against France in international return

Former England captain Owen Farrell, aged 32, is set to play for a World XV against France in Bilbao on June 22nd, as confirmed by the match organizers on Friday.

Former England captain Owen Farrell, aged 32, is set to play for a World XV against France in Bilbao on June 22nd, as confirmed by the match organizers on Friday.

Farrell has been away from international duty since guiding England to a third-place finish in the World Cup held in France last year.

Upon the conclusion of this season, he will bid farewell to Saracens, where he has been since 2008, to join Racing 92 in the French Top 14 league.

In a statement, the organizers expressed their delight in having Farrell join the World XV, a team that continues to attract top-tier talent. The squad, led by former All Blacks coach Ian Foster, already includes Farrell's former teammates Mako Vunipola and Billy Vunipola.

Other notable players like Semi Radradra, Maxime Machenaud, Camille Lopez, and Tevita Tatafu have also committed to playing for the World XV.

Farrell shared his excitement about the opportunity, highlighting the chance to play alongside opponents he usually faces in club and international competitions in a more relaxed setting. He emphasized the desire to entertain the fans and put on a great show for the Basque and French spectators.

The upcoming match in Bilbao will serve as a warm-up for the French team, preparing for their summer tour in South America, where they will face Argentina and Uruguay in two Tests each.