OWEN FARRELL HAS escaped a ban for a high tackle on England team-mate Anthony Watson in Saracens’ Premiership final victory over Bath on Saturday.
England fly-half Farrell escaped punishment during the showpiece at Twickenham for an incident in the second minute in which Mako Vunipola went low in the tackle to Watson, while Farrell made impact with the Bath full-back’s chest and head.
Watson tried to continue but six minutes later left the field to be assessed and was not able to return. During that time Farrell had already scored Saracens’ first try on his way to a man-of-the-match performance in a 28-16 victory.
https://vine.co/v/ehBgF1I9Udh
Farrell later stated that he apologised to Watson for the tackle, while Bath coach Mike Ford thought referee Wayne Barnes should have produced a red card.
A statement from the Rugby Football Union confirmed that Farrell will not receive a ban, though, instead hitting him with a Citing Commissioner Warning, leaving the 23-year-old breathing a sigh of relief with England set to host the Rugby World Cup later this year.
If a player is issued three warnings they are subject to disciplinary proceedings, but Farrell has not received enough foul play yellow cards or Citing Commission Warnings to face punishment. Bath’s Rob Webber was also handed a warning for tackling a jumper in the air during the same match.
Farrell told BBC Sport: “I apologised to him [Watson] after the game and told him there was no intent. He was pretty down.
“I feel bad that Ant had to go off but there was no intent from me and there never would be in that situation.
“I’m not that type of player. Things like this happen in rugby.”
Bath head coach Mike Ford felt Farrell should have received a red card for the tackle.
“It was an illegal challenge square on the nose and we lost one of our best players,” said Ford.
“The other guy stayed on and got man of the match.”
Saracens ran out 28-16 winners at Twickenham with Farrell scoring 18 points.
Quality selection! Looking forward to an exciting match at the weekend.
@John Thomas: I might have put Stockdale at 11 myself but I’m just a sofa coach.
@John Thomas: yeah I was hoping he’d get a game too
@John Thomas: he was very poor in Ireland A game. Looks a shadow of his former self but hopefully that’s something he can turnaround with more game time at Ulster
@BMJF: agreed, I was at it and he was so far off the pace and seemed many off his former self. Hopefully it was just an off day and he will show his worth.
@BMJF: Form is temporary, class is permanent.
@John Thomas: Couch or Coach?
@John Thomas: bit surprised he didn’t get a chance myself, unless they don’t feel he is fit. He really looked off the pace in the A game last week.
@Collitov: couch coach works as well.
Belham has to start against Australia now. He made an impact last sat and it would be benefical to see him start a test now
@Justin Flynn: same could be said at scrum half, we all know what JGP can do. Would have had 2 fresh lads in as I can’t see too many changes come 6 nations.
@Mark Sheehan: JGP needs game time before Australia
@BMJF: Australia isn’t the be all and end all, would be good to get a result given the limited amount of games between here and next years World Cup. An injury to either JGP or Murray and you could have a third scrum half with little or no international exposure on the bench during the tournament. JGP showed against South Africa that he is well up to speed.
@Justin Flynn: I think Bealham was extremely lucky with the refs reading of the scrum in Saturday.
@Tipper Irie: I’d actually argue SA we’re foolish for not scrummaging legally they practically went sideways at scrum time driving in. In fairness to bealham the only team that trouble him from an interpro point of view is the Leinster front row. He’s held his own against all the others quite easily
A very nice balance there. Good for the new faces to get experience with quality players like Park, Henshaw and Doris around them.
I’m sure they are managing Doris workload but he is a horse of a man when it comes to effort and leaves everything he has on the pitch….hope we are comfortable enough after 40 mins to rest him. We need all our big guns the following week.
@Michael Murray: yeah starting Doris is a complete head scratcher.
He should be wrapped in cotton wool.
Really happy with that squad. Glad that they didn’t put Sexton on the bench, I feared they might. Also good to see O’Brien play after his performance last week. Delighted that McCloskey is fit, I was sure he’d broken his arm. Henshaw starting is also a big boost ahead of the Australian game. Overall I’m really happy with that match day squad.
Excellent squad, Farrell & Co. keep surpassing themselves.
@Daithí O’ Donnabhain: delighted for Crowley, who’s the future along with Frawley.
@Daithí O’ Donnabhain: agreed! I think both of them will move ahead of Carbery in the next season or two. Both very similar players too. In the past when Ireland have had two top out half’s in their squads they’ve usually been quite different style wise. But Frawley and Crowley are both cut from the same cloth.
I would have preferred to see someone else getting time at scrum half, and perhaps Deegan or Prendergast getting a start, but those are minor quibbles.
Great to see Crowley on the bench – hopefully Ireland will be far enough ahead with 20 minutes to go that he can come on to close the game out
@Lesidees: I like the 4 half backs. I might have started Casey with Carberry and held JGP to help Crowley when he came on.