OWEN FARRELL is “incredibly regretful” over the illegal tackle that is almost certain to see him banned for Saracens’ most important game of the season, according to his director of rugby Mark McCall.
Farrell faces an online disciplinary hearing on Tuesday night when he will discover the length of his suspension for being shown the first red card of his career on the hour mark of Saturday’s defeat by Wasps.
The England captain was sent off for a high and reckless tackle on 18-year-old replacement fly-half Charlie Atkinson, whose afternoon was ended by the challenge.
Farrell immediately showed his remorse and apologised to Atkinson, but he could be facing a lengthy ban as the game continues its crackdown on dangerous tackles, especially to the head.
Saracens travel to Dublin to face Leinster on Saturday week as the club targets a successful defence of their European crown to compensate for their relegation from the Gallagher Premiership because of repeated salary cap breeches.
“Obviously Owen got the tackle wrong, there’s no question about that. He’s been into the club and I’ve spoken to him,” director of rugby Mark McCall said.
“You could see form his reaction as soon as it happened that he knew he got it wrong and he is incredibly regretful.
“He stood on the touchline and waited for Charlie to get up and come off and he was really concerned for him. You could see on his face how he felt.”
McCall declined to reveal Saracens’ strategy for the disciplinary hearing but is resigned to losing Farrell for the Aviva Stadium showdown with two games to play before they depart for Ireland.
The sanction range for his clear breach of the tackle law is two games for low end, six for mid range and 10 for high end.
Mid-range appears the most likely punishment and given Farrell’s remorse and good disciplinary record – he was banned for the same offence four years ago in his only previous suspension – any punishment could be reduced.
“We should let the proceedings take their course but we can safely assume that Owen won’t be available for Leinster and we’ll plan as such,” McCall said.
Farrell’s absence would be partially off-set by the return of Duncan Taylor from a shoulder injury with the Scotland centre potentially available for Wednesday’s clash with Sale.
The fitness of Mako Vunipola is problematic, however, as his back spasm threatens his involvement against Leinster.
“Mako isn’t ready yet. It’s lingering for longer than we had hoped,” McCall said.
The one time he used an arm in a tackle he nearly decapitated a lad. He’s safer with his no arm efforts, plus he never gets carded for them.
He’s only ‘incredibly regretful’ because a ref finally had the stones to do something about his persistent cheap shots and dreadful technique during a game. Overrated player regardless, I hope he has the book thrown at him.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah but he’s sorry
@Carmine Lorenzo: terrible challenge but far from overrated
@Stephen Duffy: He’s not as good a 10 as the likes of ‘Barnesey’ and Stephen Jones make out.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah lads over rated. He is a work horse with a good brain and a winner. He is loyal to a club that yes we all cant abide but he is an outstanding player. Id love if he joined Munster….as unpopular that is to say but we would win a cup
@Carmine Lorenzo: I was surprised to read it was his first red card of his career. He is involved in high tackles quite regularly. Great player but plays on the edge too much for me.
He has been tackling like this for years and never sanctioned for it. He deserves everything he gets too. He’s a brilliant player but he’s a dirty player too.
@Batster: 100% agree. They need to make a statement for whole of rugby here.
His reaction indicated he realised he’d miss the Leinster game, bugger all remorse really. But the Sarries PR machine running to defend him, will ensure he gets the minimum ban possible….
Want to see him play. Class player
@ollie:
@ollie: You’re some fisherman
@Rosco Bosco: always liked him couldn’t care that he’s English. Fellas class on the ball and decapitates attackers. It’s wrong but he’s unreal
@ollie: aggressive kicking game too
@ollie: aw nobody is biting! I’ll help out. What do you mean Ollie? He’s a fouling no good so-and-so! There, is that better?
Ohhh that’s only the 4th …. maybe 5th time we’ve had to hear that sentiment??
@Dave O’Shaughnessy: actually, check how many bans he’s had
@Dave O’Keeffe:
I know, it’s terrible that he’s gotten away with it for so long.
No he is not sorry at all he is a dirty player and he is only sorry because he was been caught. He has got away with dangerous play for far too long. I hope he gets more than a slap on the hand.
Problem here is the fake arm tackle practiced by a huge percentage of today’s rugby players. They clench their muscles
and throw the arm in in what is essentially a hit rather than an attempt to grab the opponent. Unfortunately for Farrell this dodgy technique allied to the player changing direction and height at the moment of the tackle led to this incredibly dangerous tackle! Still lots of work to be done on tackle technique and defensive coaches expectations!
@CARMODY Neil: very well said.
Incredible knob
His good disciplinary record, are you having a laugh. At last a ref with the guts to stop him.
@Ian James Burgess: what do you mean the guts to stop him
It was a reckless challenge and the worst referee on the planet no matter how incompetent would have to send him off
A long time coming. Talented player but have absolutely no time for him. Filthy player.
So there is low medium and high level and if his is eventually classed as mid, what would high actually be? It would have to be a very frightening outcome it seems. Let’s just wait and see how much they are genuinely stamping out this kind of low life thug.
Big cj stander will shake him off his leg again
I am me….I can do this stuff……I am untouchable…..oh gosh, mebbe not!
Very poor tackling technique. Leads to fouls and dangerous play. Bout time he was sanctioned
Class act marred by cheap shots.
He’ll probably only get a two match ban
He’s a dirt tackler.