Owen Farrell is free to play in England’s opening Six Nations match with a four-match ban suspended to three weeks | Rugby Union News

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England begin the Six Nations under new manager Steve Borthwick against Scotland at Twickenham on 4 February, before hosting Italy at Twickenham eight days later; The Six Nations Tests are England’s last competitive match ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France in September

Last updated: 11/23/11 at 2:33 PM

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James Cole explains why Owen Farrell did not get a longer ban after being cited as a high tackle while playing for Saracens against Gloucester

James Cole explains why Owen Farrell did not get a longer ban after being cited as a high tackle while playing for Saracens against Gloucester

Owen Farrell will be available for the Six Nations opener against Scotland on February 4 with his four-match ban for a high tackle set to be reduced to three weeks.

Farrell connected with Gloucester substitute boss Jack Clement in the 75th minute of the Premier League game at Kingsholm on Friday, which Saracens won 19-16 thanks to Farrell’s last-minute goal.

A statement from the Rugby Football Union said the 31-year-old was handed a four-match ban on Wednesday, but that will be reduced to a three-week suspension if he completes the World Rugby Training Intervention programme.

The Test at home to Scotland on Saturday 4 February will be the first in charge of new England manager Steve Borthwick, who has succeeded the sacked Eddie Jones in the role.

Farrell – who accepted foul play but challenged that he had met the minimum red card – will miss Saracens’ European Cup matches against Lyon (14 January) and Edinburgh (21 January) as well as the Premier League meeting with Bristol on 28 January.

Farrell’s sentence will be reduced from four matches to three weeks if he completes the World Rugby Intervention programme.

Farrell was penalized for his third high tackle

This penalty is the third time Farrell has been penalized for a major tackle.

He was suspended for five weeks for fouling Wasps player Charlie Atkinson in 2020, with that sentence reduced from 10 weeks due to off-field mitigating factors.

Back in 2016, Farrell was suspended for two weeks for an illegal challenge on Wasps’ Dan Robson during the European Cup semi-final.

Farrell also avoided being cited in November 2018 for charging a shoulder high to the chest of South African midfielder Andre Esterhuizen while playing for England, as the offense was deemed worthy of a yellow rather than a red card. Farrell avoided the sin of binning for the accident during the Test as England held on to win by a point, 12-11.

Steve Borthwick will coach England for the first time at home to Scotland next month

Borthwick lead England in the wake of Jones’ sacking, after England have suffered three defeats from five matches in their last two Six Nations campaigns, leaving them out of contention for the title.

In 2023, England began by hosting Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday 4 February, before welcoming Italy to the home of English rugby on Sunday 12 February.

They then travel to face Wales in Cardiff in Round Three on Saturday 25 February, host France in Round 4 on Saturday 11 March and end up facing Ireland in Dublin on Saturday 18 March.

Lucky Pharrell | Borthwick has a decision to make

Sky Sports News correspondent James Cole

Some will say Farrell is lucky to have escaped a longer ban, given that this was a shoulder-to-head tackle, exactly the kind of challenge World Rugby seeks to eliminate from the game.

“If they had been punished on the field at that time, it would have been a red card.

However, when you look at the RFU’s sanctions framework, the average-term ban for this type of offense is six weeks, the minimum being two weeks. Farrell has been banned for four weeks, which will be reduced to three if he attends World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Program – also known as Rugby School.

Farrell denied that this was a red card offence, but admitted it was a major offence. The commission decided it was reckless, not intentional.

Will Borthwick keep Farrell as captain and captain of the England national team?

It has to be said that Farrell has precedent when it comes to high tackles. He served a five-week suspension in September 2020, and his technique has been questioned because he tackles too upright.

Long and short of the controversy, Farrell will be available to start England’s Six Nations Championship campaign, which means new manager Steve Borthwick has some decisions to make.

“Will Pharrell be his first half and continue as a leader?”

Curry will miss the start of the Six Nations Championship

Flanker Tom Curry is set to miss the first two rounds of the Six Nations after tore his hamstring during Sale’s Premier League win over Harlequins on Sunday.

Tom Curry could return to England against Wales on February 25

Carey, who has 45 caps and captained England for the first time in last season’s Six Nations opener against Scotland, is likely to return against Wales on February 25 as Sale Rugby director Alex Sanderson said the back row injury was not as serious as it was. thought at first.

Sanderson said: “With it being a second degree (C) tear and Tom being so diligent with his rehabilitation, it means he can come back to Wales. That’s a real positive for England and all of us, because I want England to do that. We will.”

“He’s handling things quickly, Tom. He’s got around it, and he’s focusing on the six. Now that he knows it could have been six or eight [weeks]but probably four and six, he’s more positive about it.”

Exeter hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie will also miss at least a Six Nations start after suffering an ankle injury.

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