"FARCICAL" - Sir Clive Woodward delivers his verdict on Owen Farrell ban
Rugby NewsWednesday, 23 August 2023 at 07:52
England captain Owen Farrell's ban was the right outcome - but it's been absolutely FARCICAL from start to finish according to 2003 World Cup winner Sir Clive Woodward.
The England captain's four-game ban means he will miss the group matches against Argentina and Japan, with two warm-up fixtures also included.
Farrell's red card had been overturned by an independent judicial committee, which was then overruled on Tuesday.
The appeal committee said the tackle was "always illegal".
"Owen Farrell's ban of four matches was confirmed on Tuesday night and it was the correct outcome," wrote Woodward.
"But the way it has been reached has been absolutely farcical for him, England, and rugby as a whole. I feel really sorry for Farrell as he has been personally attacked needlessly throughout this saga.
"The end result of this whole sorry mess is that England's captain will miss the first two games of the World Cup against Argentina and Japan."
He continued: "I have consistently maintained that the game against the Pumas will define England's World Cup campaign, so to be without one of his best players is a massive, massive blow to Borthwick.
"Especially when you consider Billy Vunipola is also highly likely to be suspended on Wednesday for his dangerous tackle and subsequent sending-off against Ireland.
"I think that it is a big ask for Smith to start at No 10 in the Argentina match. But whether Borthwick goes for him or Ford, it is a big opportunity for either of them to impress and lay down a marker.
"I would still imagine Borthwick will opt for Ford given he is a big fan of his ability and the two worked together to win the Premiership with Leicester."
Games Farrell will miss:
- Ireland v England 19 August 2023
- England v Fiji 26 August 2023
- England v Argentina 9 September 2023
- England v Japan 17 September 2023
Five most hated rugby players, named and ranked:
We have curated a compilation of individuals who, through their actions on and off the field, have acquired a regrettable reputation within the game. Their notoriety extends beyond specific fan bases or clubs; it encompasses the entire rugby community.
#5. Dan Biggar (Wales)
Amusingly, Biggar epitomizes the kind of player who manages to invoke strong dislike until he becomes a part of your own team.
Over the course of his career, this fly-half has exhibited a growing penchant for passionately berating referees.
This behavior has reached such heights that Glove39, a renowned online personality and unwavering fan of Scotland, cleverly crafted a video titled 'birdman.'
In this video, Glove39 humorously mimicked Biggar's habitual arm-raising expression of frustration directed at officials.
#4. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
The expert in unsportsmanlike behavior. Sexton is skilled in exaggerating contact or distracting officials, knowing precisely when to employ his repertoire of underhanded tactics.
His most recent example of on-field nouse came against Wales just last weekend. The yellow card handed to Liam Williams in the 65th minute for a high hit on Sexton took a while to come as it was reviewed from multiple angles by the officials.
Wales fans piled in on Sexton after the Williams sin-binning, with one writing: 'Sexton play acted a head injury. Blatant cheating.'
Another Wales fan vented: 'That Liam Williams yellow card shows why rugby will be dead in a few years – nothing wrong with Liams body shape and Sexton play acting sums up how rugby has drastically changed for the worse. It’s a mockery to the real injuries.'
Another commented on Sexton being seen winking after the card, and said that his behaviour would "destroy the spectacle that is International rugby"
#3. Nic White (Australia)
White has become arguably the most unpopular player in world rugby over the past 12 months..
Last year, White fell about like a lion had attempted to rip off his face after Faf de Klerk accidentally made contact with it while attempting to dislodge the ball out of his hands as he attempted a pass.
After consulting with the television match official, referee Paul Williams adjudicated that this warranted a yellow card for de Klerk.
This decision sent the world of rugby into meltdown, with criticism coming from all quarters aimed at White for bringing the game into disrepute.
#2. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
The world Cup-winning lock is undoubtedly world-class, but he is also one of the dirtiest players in the sport. If your team has played against him, you will not be a fan. A proper sh**house, but huge biceps.
#1. Owen Farrell (England)
Could it be anybody else? Farrell fits the label “our guy” better than most, meaning you love to hate him unless he’s in your squad.
Then you’d go to the end’s of the earth to defend him. The England captain, also known as 'Shoulder boy' for his high tackling, does himself no favours with his poor tackling technique.
And that came to a head a few weeks ago when he was sent off for a high tackle against Wales.
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