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Certain members of the media “need to look at themselves” for their “unfair scrutiny” of Owen Farrell, says Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall.
Farrell made his Saracens debut in 2008, while McCall joined as assistant in 2009 before making the step up.
“The narrative around Owen began in the mainstream media,” McCall said.
He told BBC Radio London: “Everybody will, somewhere in their heads, agree with that. All I’m saying is that we have zero control over social media.
“There was a social media pile on but it was created in the mainstream media, so some in the media need to look at themselves.
“I don’t know what he’s done to deserve the way he has been treated.”
Since McCall’s comments, Sale Sharks – who Saracens beat in last season’s Premiership final – “strongly condemned” a video circulating on social media of one of the club’s fans verbally abusing Farrell.
“We are now consulting with the RFU and Premiership Rugby on the matter,” Sale said in a statement.
‘There’s always been unfair narrative’
Farrell was suspended for England’s opening two World Cup games for a dangerous tackle during a warm-up win against Wales.
The fly-half was then booed by some supporters during the tournament in France on the way to England’s semi-final defeat by South Africa.
“It’s actually quite remarkable that he played the way he did during the World Cup, given how he was feeling. Amazing really,” McCall continued.
“You’ve got a player who is right on top of his game but you have a person who is being made to feel the way he feels, and his family as well.
“I haven’t thought enough about this to go back and reflect on when the negativity towards him began, but it probably started before he was first sent off or anything – so there has always been this unfair narrative and I don’t know why that is.
“Down the years he has probably been made to feel he has done something much worse than he has done, and every single little thing that has been picked up and been scrutinised to a level that doesn’t happen with most other players.
“I’m not sure England captains in other sports have faced the same level of scrutiny – and very rarely is it positive.”
Farrell will continue to play for Saracens while on his sabbatical from international rugby and, having known Farrell since 2009, McCall says the portrayal of the England captain is far from reality.
“I’ve known Owen for 15 years and I know the person that is being portrayed in the media is nothing like the person I know,” he added.
“He’s a family man, that has always come first, but he’s a loyal team-mate and a thoroughly good human being. That’s the Owen I know.
“The person that is or has been portrayed in the media down the years is not the person that I recognise.
“There was a narrative that was created and that’s been there for some time. There is only so much someone can take.”
‘Incredibly brave to open up’
Farrell became England’s all-time record points scorer during the World Cup, surpassing Jonny Wilkinson’s career haul of 1,179 points.
He succeeded Dylan Hartley as captain under Eddie Jones in 2019 and is second on the all-time international points-scoring list, behind New Zealand’s Dan Carter.
The fly-half and centre immediately returned to club duty following the World Cup, and McCall says he did not try to persuade Farrell to change his mind about the Six Nations – and does not know whether he will return to the England fold.
“It’s hard to think that far ahead, his happiness and wellbeing is paramount and if that in time involved going back to play international rugby so be it,” McCall said.
“He has nothing to prove – 112 caps and captain of his country, that wasn’t enough for some people.
“If he wants to go back after a break, then go for it. But if he decides in six months he doesn’t enjoy it then that is something we would support as well.
“We need to make sure that we are checking in all the time with him – it’s incredibly brave and courageous to open up, not just to the club but to the world as well.
“I admire him for many reasons, but even more for doing this.”
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