Why is Owen Farrell not playing for England at the Six Nations 2025?

OWEN FARRELL is arguably one of the greatest players ever to put on an England jersey – but Steve Borthwick’s men will have to battle WITHOUT him for the second year in a row at Six Nations 2025.

England fans would have been relying on their record points scorer to guide them to their first piece of silverware since 2003.

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Owen Farrell could only lead England to bronze at the World Cup[/caption]

Ahead of Six Nations 2024, Farrell bravely admitted that he will be stepping aside from his duties for the foreseeable future.

And SunSport can reveal the reasons why he will be missing again in 2025.

Why is Owen Farrell not playing at Six Nations 2025?

England skipper Owen Farrell missed the Six Nations 2024 after agreeing to go on a mental health break.

Farrell’s former rugby union club Saracens put out a statement saying that the fly-half has “decided to take a break from international rugby to prioritise his and his family’s mental well-being”.

The London club added: “This means he will not be available for the 2024 Six Nations.

In 2025, Farrell is no longer eligible for selection for England, as the English RFU requires players to play in the Gallagher Premiership to be considered for selection.

In the summer of 2024 Farrell switched Saracens for Racing 92 in France, and no longer qualifies for selection.

The rule has kept Henry Arundell from being selected, but he is rumoured with a return back to the Gallagher Premiership.

When is Six Nations 2025?

• Six Nations 2024 will get underway on Friday, January 31, 2025 before concluding on Saturday, March 15, 2025.
• This is the 131st edition of the huge competition, the 25th since it became Six Nations.
• Ireland were victorious in 2024, but were denied a Grand Slam by England.

How to watch the Six Nations 2025

The Six Nations will start on Friday, January 31st, as Wales take on France in Paris at 8:15pm GMT. The game will be live on ITV.

England’s first game is away in Dublin at 4:45pm GMT, live on ITV.

Both the BBC and ITV will be showing the Six Nations, here is a full list of which game is on which channel:

Round 1:

• France vs Wales – Jan 31, 8:15pm GMT – ITV
• Scotland vs Italy – Feb 1, 2:15pm GMT – BBC
• England vs Ireland – Feb 1, 4:45pm GMT – ITV

Round 2:

• Italy vs Wales – Feb 8, 2:15pm GMT – ITV
• England vs France – Feb 8, 4:45pm GMT – ITV
• Scotland vs Ireland – Feb 9, 3pm GMT – BBC

Round 3:

• Wales vs Ireland – Feb 22, 2:15pm GMT – BBC
• England vs Scotland – Feb 22, 4:45pm GMT– ITV
• Italy vs France – Feb 23, 3pm GMT – ITV

Round 4:

• Ireland vs France – Mar 8, 2:15pm GMT – ITV
• Scotland vs Wales – Mar 8, 4:45pm GMT – BBC
• England vs Italy – Mar 9, 3pm GMT – ITV

Round 5:

• Italy vs Ireland – Mar 15, 2:15pm GMT – ITV
• Wales vs England – Mar 15, 4:45pm GMT – BBC
• France vs Scotland – Mar 15, 8pm GMT – ITV