I struggle to comprehend 'social media poison' says Farrell
The 33-year-old was named by his father, British & Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell, as captain for Tuesday's match against a First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne, after joining the tour as replacement for the injured Elliot Daly.
He has not played a test since stepping back from national duty in November 2023 to prioritise his mental health, before joining French side Racing 92, returning to Saracens in June.
"I understand times are different and things catch fire quicker. Things grow legs, take a life of their own, go wherever they go and there's momentum behind them. But no, I don't always understand it," Farrell told reporters on Monday, when asked about the online discourse.
"Both are a poison... the good and the bad. Not to say that it's all bad, but the things that should matter to me and should matter to us as players are the people that matter to us."
Racist abuse online forced England women's footballer Jess Carter to step away from social media on Sunday, with the defender saying she had been a target since Euro 2025 began.
Farrell previously spoke out against social media abuse when he condemned the online vitriol faced by England flanker Tom Curry during the 2023 World Cup after he accused a South African opponent of abusing him during a match.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH
Asia At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes at college campus
Singapore ST Explains: What does it mean for etomidate to be listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act?
Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region
Singapore NTU introduces compulsory cadaver dissection classes for medical students from 2026
World US authorities probing passenger jet's close call with B-52 bomber over North Dakota
Singapore Jail for man who conspired with another to bribe MOH agency employee with $18k Paris trip
Singapore New research institute will grow S'pore's talent in nuclear energy, safety
"I guess the people I think we should listen to are the proper rugby people, your mates. Not that those people will just pat you on the back," Farrell said.
"You have people who will tell you where it is at the same time, but they will give you a real answer. If you do that and you are in a good place yourself, then you can deal with it." REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
35 minutes ago
- Straits Times
No Isak, no issue for Eddie Howe and Newcastle players despite transfer saga
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe (left) and captain Bruno Guimaraes say the squad are focused on their pre-season and a game against Arsenal at the National Stadium on July 27. SINGAPORE – In his first 24 hours here, Newcastle United coach Eddie Howe learnt just how unpredictable Singapore's weather can get. The sun was out and blazing when his team arrived on July 25 but the heavens opened, briefly, just before a press conference at the team's Pan Pacific base the next afternoon. By now, though, Howe is adept at taking unexpected twists in his stride, as shown by his deftness at dealing with questions fired at him regarding star striker Alexander Isak. Isak is not with the Newcastle squad who will take on fellow English Premier League side Arsenal in a pre-season friendly at the National Stadium on July 27. The Swede, who scored 23 league goals in 34 games last season, stayed behind in England to nurse a thigh injury, his club said. But rumours in the UK media linking him with a big-money move away – and more pointedly to league champions Liverpool – have gathered intensity over the last 48 hours. More than half the questions in the 15-minute long press conference on July 26 were about Isak. Howe admitted that 'of course, there's things going on behind the scenes', but also said that conversations between the player and the club would remain private. He added: 'We do share a really good relationship with him. He's been magnificent for us for as long as he's joined. 'He's very popular in the dressing room, as I've said before. We'd love him to continue his journey at Newcastle and I think all I would say on the broader picture is whatever happens has to be right for (the club).' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Asia Death toll climbs as Thai-Cambodia clashes continue despite calls for ceasefire Multimedia Lights dimmed at South-east Asia's scam hub but 'pig butchering' continues Singapore Black belt in taekwondo, Grade 8 in piano: S'pore teen excels despite condition that limits movements Asia Where's Jho Low? Looking for 1MDB fugitive in Shanghai's luxury estate Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur calling for the resignation of PM Anwar Life SG60 F&B icons: Honouring 14 heritage brands that have never lost their charm Business Can STI continue its defiant climb in second half of 2025? He noted that the club are in a 'very strong position financially', suggesting that any deal struck for Isak would be around the British transfer record fee of £120 million (S$206.9 million) that has been bandied about. Newcastle are not holding any talks on extending or improving Isak's contract, which still has three years to run, 'with the situation as it is', added Howe. Despite the noise surrounding their best player, the 47-year-old Englishman insisted his players in Singapore are not distracted and said that the 'feeling during this pre-season has been as good as any other'. Echoing his manager's sentiment, captain Bruno Guimaraes said: 'Of course (Isak) is a top player for us and you can't find someone who can score 20 goals in the Premier League (easily), but it's not a distraction for us. 'We are focused on getting sharp as soon as possible because it's going to be a very tough season ahead for us.' Regardless of Isak's situation, additions to the squad are vital, stressed Howe, who said the club are 'actively in the market' and looking at 'multiple players across multiple positions'. Newcastle have made only one major signing this summer in winger Anthony Elanga, who moved from Nottingham Forest in a £55 million deal. They have also signed promising talents Park Seung-soo and Antonio Cordero, both 18, who are seen as two for the future. Asked how many additions he would ideally like to have, Howe said: 'It's not about numbers, it's about quality… Can we find players of the quality that can make our team better? If they don't make the team better or the squad better, then we won't sign them.' Brazil international Guimaraes remains bullish of Newcastle's chances of building on last season's achievements, where the team ended a 70-year trophy drought when they beat Liverpool 2-1 in the League Cup final at Wembley in March. They went on to finish fifth in the Premier League to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons. 'For me, it's not enough, I want more,' he said. 'If I lose my ambition I can go home to Brazil and chill. It's not what I'm looking for now. I (want) to keep improving, keep winning, and keep making history for this club.' Added Howe: 'Once you experience that feeling of winning… you want it again as quickly as possible. 'There's a lot of ambition within the team. You can see from training, training, it's been very competitive. The lads are very driven to do well, so I see good signs. But obviously, as I said earlier, there's still some work to do with (strengthening) the squad.' There was a moment of levity during the press conference when Howe was asked about whether his team are prepared for the challenge Arsenal, last season's EPL runners-up, will present in Singapore. He said: 'Uhm… My stock answer should be 'yes'. But, because I saw the players training today…' As his voiced trailed off, he exchanged a knowing glance with Guimaraes, and both of them burst out laughing. He said: 'There was a bit of fatigue in the training today. The heat was one thing, but I think the players were still adjusting to time zones. 'So I think a definite advantage for Arsenal tomorrow having been here for much longer than we have. But it's a pre-season game, so we just want to get certain bits from the game… We're still I think we're building towards our best levels. 'The most important thing is how we play against Aston Villa (in the EPL season opener on Aug 16) , not these games, but we need to get something out of them.'
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Chinese academic in Australia slams 'ridiculous' Hong Kong bounties
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The bounties issued by Hong Kong range from about US$25,000 (S$32,000) to US$125,000, depending on the individual. Sydney - An academic in Australia who was among 19 people that Hong Kong issued bounties for has criticised the 'ridiculous' arrest warrants and warned that the region was trying to exert its power beyond its borders. Authorities from the Chinese city announced cash rewards on July 25 for information leading to the arrest of 19 overseas activists involved in Hong Kong Parliament – a pro-democracy group established in Canada. The bounties range from about US$25,000 (S$32,000) to US$125,000, depending on the individual. Among those named was Prof Feng Chongyi, a China studies professor at the University of Technology Sydney. 'It's certainly ridiculous,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald in an interview published July 26. 'They've got the power, they've got the influence overseas, they want to control everything even overseas.' Prof Feng told the publication he joined the group as an academic. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Asia Death toll climbs as Thai-Cambodia clashes continue despite calls for ceasefire Multimedia Lights dimmed at South-east Asia's scam hub but 'pig butchering' continues Singapore Black belt in taekwondo, Grade 8 in piano: S'pore teen excels despite condition that limits movements Asia Where's Jho Low? Looking for 1MDB fugitive at a Shanghai luxury estate Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur calling for the resignation of PM Anwar Life SG60 F&B icons: Honouring 14 heritage brands that have never lost their charm Business Can STI continue its defiant climb in second half of 2025? 'I feel very sad, I'm extremely upset that the autonomous Hong Kong has been destroyed,' he added. 'It's unbearable for me.' 'Hong Kong was such a beautiful, dynamic place – the best part of Chinese culture, the combination of the East and the West.' The former British colony – handed back to China in 1997 – has seen political dissent quashed since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in 2020 following huge and at times violent pro-democracy protests. Prof Feng, who has conducted research into China's pro-democracy groups, was detained for a week in China in 2017. At the time, his lawyer said he was 'suspected of harming national security and could not leave China'. The July 25 announcement of bounties was the fourth from Hong Kong authorities, which has previously drawn strong criticism from Western countries. The bounties are seen as largely symbolic given that they affect people living abroad in nations unlikely to extradite political activists to Hong Kong or China. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on July 26 she strongly objected to the arrest warrants. 'Freedom of expression and assembly are essential to our democracy,' she said on social media platform X. 'We have consistently expressed our strong objections to China and Hong Kong on the broad and extraterritorial application of Hong Kong's national security legislation, and we will continue to do so.' The UK also condemned the move as 'another example of transnational repression', according to a statement from British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. The Hong Kong government hit back on July 26, calling Britain's reaction 'untrue and biased'. 'Those absconders hiding in the UK and other Western countries are wanted because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security,' it said, demanding that Britain 'stop interfering in Hong Kong matters which are purely China's internal affairs'. AFP
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Ruben Amorim prepared to reintegrate exiled Man Utd players if valuations not met
CHICAGO – Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has said that he is prepared to reintegrate the team's exiled players into his squad, if they cannot be sold for fees that match the valuations expected by the club's hierarchy. Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia have been excluded from the squad that has travelled to the United States for the club's pre-season tour, with the quartet seeking transfers away from Old Trafford. But while they have had to work separately from the first team squad since United returned for training ahead of the new season, Amorim acknowledged that he would be prepared to accept the players back into his squad should they not be sold. "Some players have to find a new place to have more space in the team and other players clearly show they want a new challenge and want new teams," he told reporters in Chicago ahead of their pre-season meeting with West Ham United on July 26. "We are just allowing these players to have time to think and to decide. If we reach a point where they have to join the team, they will join the team because they are our players. "I'm ready to receive the players. They have more competition, more competition if you want to play in the World Cup next year, you need to play. So I'm really happy with that because I have more options. If they have to fight each other to play, for me it's perfect." United have signed Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo so far in the transfer window, while England winger Marcus Rashford has left to join Barcelona on loan, as Amorim's side looks to bounce back from a lowly 15th place finish in last year's Premier League table. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Asia Death toll climbs as Thai-Cambodia clashes continue despite calls for ceasefire Multimedia Lights dimmed at South-east Asia's scam hub but 'pig butchering' continues Singapore Black belt in taekwondo, Grade 8 in piano: S'pore teen excels despite condition that limits movements Asia Where's Jho Low? Looking for 1MDB fugitive in Shanghai's luxury estate Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur calling for the resignation of PM Anwar Life SG60 F&B icons: Honouring 14 heritage brands that have never lost their charm Business Can STI continue its defiant climb in second half of 2025? The club's financial situation is reportedly such that United need to sell players if they want to add to their squad. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are charged with finding buyers for their "bomb squad". "I know for a fact these people - Jason, Omar and the club - have a number for these players," added Amorim. "If they don't reach that, they will be Manchester United players, no doubt about that. "I understand the (interested) clubs are waiting for the last minute but they can have a surprise." Meanwhile, while the club are in need of a new striker, Amorim also hinted that he is happy with having just Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. 'They can play as a striker,' he said of Cunha and Mbeumo when questioned on the club's striker pursuit. 'We have Josh, we have Rasmus, so our focus is to improve the connection between them.' REUTERS
