Mark McCall has tipped Owen Farrell to force his way onto a fourth Lions tour in his new post-Saracens life.
Farrell mustered a stunning performance despite playing "on one leg" in Friday night's Premiership semi-final, but Saracens still lost 22-20 at Northampton.
The defeat meant Farrell had played his last game after 16 years at the club ahead of a summer move to Racing 92.
While Farrell will be ineligible for England, the 112-cap fly-half can still represent the Lions. And Saracens boss McCall believes Farrell has every chance of making next summer's tour to Australia.
“If you know Owen well enough, then you know he’s not going to France to put his feet up,” said McCall. “Owen will be vying for the Lions now, and he will throw everything at that.”
Farrell had suffered a quad strain in training last week that hampered his fitness at Northampton, but the wily operator still delivered a fine showing in what proved his Saracens swansong.
No magnificent seventh Premiership crown for Farrell then, but a bagful of memories just the same – and for fellow leavers Billy and Mako Vunipola too.
“We all feel very emotional about this being their last games,” said McCall. “I just feel lucky to have come here when they were here.”
