Sir Clive Woodward: Owen Farrell episode has been ‘immensely damaging’
Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward, current coach Steve Borthwick and captain Owen Farrell.
Former head coach Sir Clive Woodward believes that the disciplinary process for Owen Farrell’s tackle has been “immensely damaging” for England.
Farrell received a four-match ban for his dangerous tackle on Taine Basham and will now miss two of England’s Rugby World Cup matches.
The captain was yellow carded for the tackle in England’s 19-17 win over Wales, with the incident sent to the Foul Play Review bunker – which upgraded the decision to a red card.
Farrell then faced his first disciplinary panel, where his red card was rescinded, but World Rugby appealed the decision, and the subsequent appeal committee handed him his suspension.
Right decision
In his latest column for the Daily Mail, Woodward wrote that the four-game suspension was the “correct outcome”.
But added that “the way it has been reached has been absolutely farcical for him, England, and rugby as a whole.”
“I feel really sorry for Farrell,” he wrote. “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.”
Big blow
Woodward added that Farrell “must” still go to the World Cup as England’s captain but had he received a six-game ban, he may have had a different view.
“In all likelihood, he will also come straight back into the team when available,” the former coach added.
“For now, Steve Borthwick must reserve his judgment on that, as either George Ford or Marcus Smith might have lift-off in the early stages of the competition. And as an international head coach, you must take things one game at a time.
“But there is no doubt the whole Farrell episode has been immensely damaging to England. They are now without their leader for the opening game against Argentina, which is a big, big blow.”
Rugby needs to move quicker
Woodward also took a shot at how long it took for the decision on Farrell’s ban to be made public.
“The other point I’d like to make is the ridiculous amount of time it took for Farrell’s ban to be made public,” he wrote
“He appeared in the dock early morning on Tuesday. Why did it take all day to make the public aware?
“Rugby needs to move far, far quicker on these things – especially when the decisions are affecting the game at the highest level.”
READ MORE: Reaction: Owen Farrell’s ‘slap on the wrist’ ban and ‘farcical’ disciplinary process
