Owen Farrell signs new deal with Saracens

England centre Owen Farrell is all smiles at the England training session in Guildford yesterday (GETTY IMAGES)

England international Owen Farrell has signed a contract extension with Aviva Premiership champions Saracens.

Farrell broke into the Saracens first team last season and, playing fly-half, he guided the club to their first league title with victory over Leicester in the Premiership final.

The 20-year-old made an assured England debut at inside centre in the opening round of the RBS 6 Nations against Scotland.

Farrell's perfect kicking display helped England to a 19-15 victory over Italy and he is set to be named in the side to play Wales this weekend, when interim coach Stuart Lancaster confirms the line-up tomorrow morning.

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said: "Owen obviously has a wonderfully exciting future in the game, at club and international level, and we are delighted he has pledged his future to Saracens."

Farrell is one of 18 Saracens players to have signed contract extensions, with the club planning to announce the rest over the next three days.

Saracens have also reached an agreement with England lock Mouritz Botha over an extended deal.

Botha moved to England from South Africa in 2004 and signed for Saracens in 2009 after stints with Bedford Athletic and the Bedford Blues.

The 30-year-old has started both of England's Six Nations games to date.

McCall said: "Mouritz's progress over the past few years has been fantastic and we genuinely believe the best is yet to come."

Number eight Ernst Joubert joined Farrell and Botha in agreeing a new deal with Saracens.

"Ernst has been one of the pillars of the Saracens revival over the past few years, and we are thrilled he has committed his future to the club," said McCall.

PA