Chris Farrell
{{short description|Irish rugby union player (born 1993)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
|name = Chris Farrell
|image = Chriss Farrell - Oyonnax vs. Grenoble, 19th September 2014 (3x4 cropped).jpg
|caption = Farrell playing for Grenoble
|birth_name = Christopher Robert Eric Farrell
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1993|3|16}}
|birth_place = Fivemiletown, Northern Ireland
|height = {{height|m=1.91}}
|weight = {{convert|110|kg|st lbs|abbr=on}}
|position = Centre
|amatyears1 = 2004–2014
|amatteam1 = Clogher Valley RFC
|amatyears2 = 2017–2023
|amatteam2 = Young Munster
|years1 = 2011–2014
|clubs1 = Ulster
|apps1 = 5
|points1 = 0
|years2 = 2014–2017
|clubs2 = Grenoble
|apps2 = 74
|points2 = 50
|years3 = 2017–2023
|clubs3 = Munster
|apps3 = 71
|points3 = 45
|years4 = 2023–
|clubs4 = Oyonnax
|apps4 = 7
|points4 = 5
|clubupdate = 27 May 2023
|repyears1 = 2012
|repteam1 = Ireland U20
|repcaps1 = 9
|reppoints1 = 5
|repyears2 = 2017–2021
|repteam2 = Ireland
|repcaps2 = 15
|reppoints2 = 5
|repupdate = 3 July 2021
|spouse =
|children =
|relatives =
|school = Fivemiletown College
Campbell College
|university =
}}
Christopher Robert Eric Farrell (born 16 March 1993) is a former Irish rugby union and former player for French Pro D2 club Oyonnax. He played as a centre. In 2024, he was given a four year sentence by a French court for failure to prevent a crime.http://www.rte.ie/news/europe/2024/1213/1486346-rape-trial-france/
Early life
Farrell grew up in Fivemiletown, a village in south Tyrone, Northern Ireland. His initial sporting passion was soccer and he played centre-half for a local team, before he started playing rugby at the age of 11 for Clogher Valley RFC in County Tyrone.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/chris-farrell-launches-his-climb-back-to-the-top-at-foot-of-the-alps-1.1948222|title=Chris Farrell launches his climb back to the top at foot of the Alps|date=19 July 2017|work=Irish Times|accessdate=22 November 2017}}
Professional clubs
=Ulster=
In December 2011, Farrell, then aged 18, made his Ulster debut against Leinster.{{cite web|url=http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/5370.php#.WEl019JXXcs|title=Chris Farrell: Young Star Making His Mark|work=Ulster Rugby}}
=Grenoble=
At the beginning of the 2014–15 Top 14 season, Farrell joined French Top 14 side FC Grenoble, where Bernard Jackman, formerly of Connacht, Leinster and Ireland, was coach.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/chris-farrell-to-leave-ulster-for-french-pastures-1-5907771|title=Chris Farrell to leave Ulster for French pastures|date=1 March 2014|work=Newsletter}} Farrell made his debut against La Rochelle off the bench and made his first start against Oyonnax.{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/chris-farrell-grenoble-top-14-1675855-Sep2014/|title=Ulsterman Chris Farrell enjoying fresh start in Top 14 with Grenoble|date=18 September 2014|work=The42|accessdate=8 December 2016}}
=Munster=
On 24 January 2017, it was announced that Farrell would be joining Irish province Munster on a two-year contract, beginning at the conclusion of the 2016–17 season.{{cite web|url=http://munsterrugby.ie/2017/01/24/munster-confirm-latest-signings/|title=Munster Confirm Latest Signings|date=24 January 2017|work=Munster Rugby|accessdate=24 January 2017}} Farrell made his competitive debut for Munster on 1 September 2017, starting the provinces opening 2017–18 Pro14 fixture against Benetton in Irish Independent Park, Cork.{{cite news|url=http://munsterrugby.ie/report/munster-off-to-flying-start/|title=Munster Off to Flying Start|date=1 September 2017|work=Munster Rugby|accessdate=2 September 2017}} Farrell scored his first try for Munster in their fixture against South African side Cheetahs on 9 September 2017, helping the province to a 51–18 win in Thomond Park.{{cite news|url=http://munsterrugby.ie/report/munster-tame-cheetahs-with-eight-try-rout/|title=Munster Tame Cheetahs With Eight-Try Rout|date=9 September 2017|work=Munster Rugby|accessdate=10 September 2017}} He was ruled out for 6–8 weeks following a knee injury sustained whilst playing for Ireland.{{cite news|url=https://munsterrugby.ie/2017/11/28/squad-update-155/|title=Squad Update|date=28 November 2017|work=Munster Rugby|accessdate=28 November 2017}} He returned from the injury on 6 January 2018, starting in Munster's 39–13 win against Connacht.{{cite news|url=https://munsterrugby.ie/report/five-try-win-munster-connacht/|title=Five-Try Win For Munster Over Connacht|date=6 January 2018|work=Munster Rugby|accessdate=7 January 2018}}
A knee injury Farrell suffered while with the Ireland squad during the 2018 Six Nations required surgery, and subsequently ruled him out of the remainder of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news|url=https://munsterrugby.ie/2018/02/28/farrell-injury-update/|title=Farrell Injury Update|date=28 February 2018|work=Munster Rugby|accessdate=1 March 2018}} He signed a three-year contract extension with Munster in October 2018.{{cite news|url=https://munsterrugby.ie/2018/10/18/player-contract-boost-continues/|title=Player Contract Boost Continues|date=18 October 2018|work=Munster Rugby|accessdate=18 October 2018}} Farrell returned from the aforementioned knee injury on 25 November 2018, featuring off the bench in Munster's 2018–19 Pro14 round 9 fixture against Italian side Zebre.{{cite news|url=https://munsterrugby.ie/report/report-bonus-point-win-secured-in-parma/|title=Report {{!}} Bonus Point Win in Parma|date=25 November 2018|work=Munster Rugby|accessdate=26 November 2018}} He scored two tries and earned the Man-of-the-Match in Munster's 44–14 win against Edinburgh on 30 November 2018.{{cite news|url=https://munsterrugby.ie/2018/11/30/report-munster-ease-past-edinburgh/|title=Report {{!}} Munster Ease Past Edinburgh|date=30 November 2018|work=Munster Rugby|accessdate=30 November 2018}}
Farrell won his 50th cap for Munster in their 35–14 away win against English club Wasps in round 1 of the 2021–22 Champions Cup on 12 December 2021,{{cite news|url=https://www.munsterrugby.ie/preview/team-named-munster-side-to-face-wasps/#preview|title=Team Named {{!}} Munster Side To Face Wasps|date=10 December 2021|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=19 December 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.munsterrugby.ie/report/report-epic-bonus-point-win-for-munster-in-coventry/#report|title=Report {{!}} Epic Bonus-Point Win For Munster In Coventry|date=12 December 2021|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=19 December 2021}} and signed a two-year contract extension with the province in January 2022,{{cite news|url=https://www.munsterrugby.ie/2022/01/05/six-munster-players-sign-two-year-contract-extensions/|title=Six Munster Players Sign Two-Year Contract Extensions|date=5 January 2022|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=5 January 2022}} but was released from the contract early in March 2023.{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/chris-farrell-munster-6-6008878-Mar2023/|title=Farrell set for move to France after Munster confirm release|date=2 March 2023|work=The42|access-date=2 March 2023}}
=Oyonnax=
Farrell joined French Pro D2 club Oyonnax in March 2023.{{cite news|url=https://www.munsterrugby.ie/2023/03/13/squad-update-preparations-begin-for-glasgow-at-thomond/|title=Squad Update {{!}} Preparations Begin For Glasgow At Thomond|date=13 March 2023|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=13 March 2023}} Having joined as a medical joker, Farrell secured a two-year contract extension with the club,{{cite news|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/oyonnax-take-decision-on-the-future-of-medical-joker-chris-farrell/|title=Oyonnax take decision on the future of medical joker Chris Farrell|date=5 May 2023|work=RugbyPass|access-date=28 May 2023}} and went on to help the club secure promotion to the Top 14 after they defeated Grenoble to win the 2022–23 Rugby Pro D2 season.{{cite news|url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/isere/grenoble/direct-rugby-suivez-la-finale-de-pro-d2-entre-oyonnax-et-grenoble-2782402.html|title=Rugby : Oyonnax, champion de Pro D2, va retrouver le Top 14, revivez la finale des barrages entre les Oyomen et Grenoble|date=27 May 2023|work=France 3|access-date=28 May 2023|language=fr}}
Ireland
Farrell earned his first senior international call-up in October 2017, being named in the Ireland squad for the 2017 Autumn Internationals.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/40759.php#.WfRF7GhSzIU|title=Four Uncapped Players Included In Ireland's GUINNESS Series Squad|date=26 October 2017|work=Irish Rugby|accessdate=28 October 2017}} He made his first appearance for Ireland on 18 November 2017, starting against Fiji.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/40905.php|title=Keatley Kicks Ireland Home In Bruising Battle With Fiji|date=19 November 2017|work=Irish Rugby|accessdate=19 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032131/http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/40905.php|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=dead}} Farrell also started in Ireland's win against Argentina, though he went off injured during the second-half. Farrell made his Six Nations debut on 24 February 2018, starting against Wales and earning the Man-of-the-Match award in Ireland's 37–27 win.{{cite news|url=http://irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/41486.php|title=Ireland Strengthen Title Challenge With Stirring Win Over Wales|date=24 February 2018|work=Irish Rugby|accessdate=26 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227041207/http://irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/41486.php|archive-date=27 February 2018|url-status=dead}} However, a knee injury sustained during training ruled Farrell out of the remainder of the tournament.{{cite news|url=https://munsterrugby.ie/2018/02/27/injury-update-chris-farrell/|title=Injury Update – Chris Farrell|date=27 February 2018|work=Munster Rugby|accessdate=28 February 2018}}
Farrell was selected in the 31-man Ireland squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup,{{cite news|url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2019/09/02/irelands-rugby-world-cup-squad-named/|title=Ireland's Rugby World Cup Squad Named|date=2 September 2019|work=IRFU|accessdate=2 September 2019}} having featured in the warm-up matches against Italy,{{cite news|url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/report/five-try-triumph-gets-ireland-up-and-running/#report|title=Five-Try Triumph Gets Ireland Up And Running|date=10 August 2019|work=IRFU|accessdate=2 September 2019}} and Wales.{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/ireland-wales-report-warm-up-4790446-Aug2019/|title=Stockdale at the double as Schmidt's Ireland cling on for victory in Cardiff|date=31 August 2019|work=The42|accessdate=2 September 2019}} During the World Cup itself, Farrel was used as a replacement in Ireland's opening 27–3 win against Scotland,{{cite news|url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/report/pack-points-the-way-as-ireland-sweep-scotland-aside/#report|title=Pack Points The Way As Ireland Sweep Scotland Aside|date=22 September 2019|work=Irish Rugby|access-date=30 August 2021}} and he started in their shock 19–12 defeat against hosts Japan.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49849736|title=Japan 19-12 Ireland: Dazzling display gives hosts shock victory|date=28 September 2019|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 August 2021}} When the 2020 Six Nations resumed in October 2020 following a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Farrell featured as a replacement in Ireland's 35–27 defeat against France in their final fixture of the tournament.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/report/ireland-rue-missed-chances-as-fluent-france-come-out-on-top/#report|title=Ireland Rue Missed Chances As Fluent France Come Out On Top|date=31 October 2020|work=Irish Rugby|access-date=30 August 2021}}
With the usual format of end-of-year international tests not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ireland instead participated in the Autumn Nations Cup. Farrell started in the 32–9 opening win against Wales on 13 November,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54917121|title=Autumn Nations Cup: Ireland defeat Wales 32-9 in tournament opener|date=13 November 2020|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 August 2021}} the 18–7 defeat against England on 21 November,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55028232|title=England 18-7 Ireland: Jonny May stars in emphatic and entertaining victory for hosts|date=21 November 2020|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 August 2021}} and the 23–10 win against Georgia on 29 November,{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/ireland-vs-georgia/97313|title=Ireland 23-10 Georgia: Uninspired Irish beat Georgia|date=29 November 2020|work=Sky Sports|access-date=30 August 2021}} then featured off the bench in the 31–16 win against Scotland on 5 December, which secured a third-place finish for Ireland in the tournament.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55176542|title=Ireland 31-16 Scotland: Hosts finish third in Autumn Nations Cup|date=5 December 2020|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 August 2021}} During the 2021 July rugby union tests, Farrell started in Ireland's 39–31 win against Japan,{{cite news|url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/report/ireland-outlast-japan-in-exciting-nine-try-encounter/#report|title=Ireland Outlast Japan In Exciting Nine-Try Encounter|date=3 July 2021|work=Irish Rugby|access-date=30 August 2021}} however, a head injury sustained during the game ruled Farrell out of Ireland's final test against the United States.{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/ireland-usa-injury-update-5486035-Jul2021/|title=Farrell and Larmour ruled out of US clash as O'Mahony begins off-season|date=5 July 2021|work=The42|access-date=30 August 2021}} A hip injury ruled Farrell out of the 2022 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand.{{cite news|url=https://www.munsterrugby.ie/2022/06/17/squad-update-204/|title=Squad Update|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=17 June 2022}}
Criminal conviction
On 13 December 2024, Farrell was charged with and convicted for failing to report a rape which was alleged to have been perpetrated by his colleagues when playing for FC Grenoble in 2017. Three players from the Top 14 team were charged with the violent gang rape of a woman after a Top 14 rugby match in Bordeaux in March 2017.{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/europe/2024/1213/1486346-rape-trial-france/|title=Jury in French rape trial involving two Irish rugby players begins deliberations
|date=13 December 2024|work=RTÉ|accessdate=13 December 2024}} Farrell was present where the rape occurred and owned a pair of crutches which were used on the victim during the attack.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-13 |title=French court jails 3 rugby players for 12 to 14 years over gang rape |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241213-french-court-jails-3-rugby-players-for-12-to-14-years-over-gang-rape |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=France 24 |language=en}} He was given a four-year sentence with two years suspended, however he was not sent to prison and instead was ordered to wear an electronic tag for two years and to remain in France.
Statistics
=International analysis by opposition=
| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||||||
| Against
! Played ! Won ! Lost ! Drawn ! Tries ! Points ! % Won | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor="#d0ffd0" align="center" | |||||||
| align="left" | {{ru|ARG}} | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | {{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}} |
| align="left" | {{ru|ENG}} | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | {{#expr:0/1*100 round 2}} |
| align="left" | {{ru|FIJ}} | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | {{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}} |
| align="left" | {{ru|FRA}} | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | {{#expr:0/1*100 round 2}} |
| align="left" | {{ru|GEO}} | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | {{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}} |
| align="left" | {{ru|ITA}} | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | {{#expr:2/2*100 round 2}} |
| align="left" | {{ru|JPN}} | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | {{#expr:1/2*100 round 2}} |
| align="left" | {{ru|SCO}} | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | {{#expr:3/3*100 round 2}} |
| align="left" | {{ru|WAL}} | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | {{#expr:3/3*100 round 2}} |
| class="sortbottom"
! Total | 15 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | {{#expr:12/15*100 round 2}} |
Correct as of 3 July 2021[http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/156530.html?class=1;template=results;type=player Chris Farrell], ESPN Scrum, 3 October 2019
Honours
=Munster=
- United Rugby Championship
- Winner (1): 2022–23
=Oyonnax=
=Ireland under-18s=
- European Under-18 Rugby Union Championship
- Winner (1): (2011)
=Ireland=
- Six Nations Championship:
- Winner (1): 2018
- Grand Slam:
- Winner (1): 2018
- Triple Crown:
- Winner (1): 2018
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://munsterrugby.ie/player?PlayGuid=CF136427 Munster Profile]
- [https://www.irishrugby.ie/player/chris-farrell/ Ireland Profile]
- [https://www.unitedrugby.com/clubs/munster/chris-farrell URC Profile]
- {{EPCR profile|CF136427}}
- [https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/player/?PlayGuid=CF136427&TeamId=1875 U20 Six Nations Profile]
- {{Sport links}}
{{Ireland 2019 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Farrell, Chris}}
Category:Rugby union players from County Tyrone
Category:Irish rugby union players
Category:FC Grenoble Rugby players
Category:Munster Rugby players
Category:Oyonnax Rugby players
Category:Ireland international rugby union players
Category:Expatriate rugby union players from Northern Ireland
Category:Expatriate sportspeople from Northern Ireland in France