SportsOrbit

Despite having another season left on the two-year contract he signed when he moved to Paris last year, Farrell has stated that he wants to return to the Premiership this summer. Racing is willing to let Farrell, 33, leave La Défense Arena after a poor season in which injuries and a loss of form limited him to 41 points in 17 games, but they insist on their own conditions. They value Farrell, who has 112 England caps and three World Cup appearances, at €250,000 (£211,500), which is half of the €500,000 they spent to buy him out of his Saracens contract. The former Premier League and European Champions are unwilling to spend more than €200,000 (£177,000) for a player who has twice been named European Player of the Year and three times nominated for World Player of the Year. Racing had grown disgruntled with their lack of development and were seeking for a successor, but were dealt a blow when it was revealed that experienced Wallaby James O’Connor was due to join Leicester Tigers. The Parisians might now sign former Ireland international Paddy Jackson if they agree on a cost with Saracens, who must then agree on personal terms with Farrell. It is unlikely to be a problem, despite Saracens boss Mark McCall reminding him that he will have to accept a pay cut from Racing’s £685,000 per year. Farrell had to take nearly half of what Saracens paid him before moving to the Top 14, and another cut is on the way if he wants to rejoin the team that helped him win six Premiership titles and three European Cups.