CHRIS FOY: World Rugby’s appeal is LIKELY to lead to punishment for Owen Farrell due to the backlash… but it would be SHAMBOLIC if the Ireland game didn’t count to any potential ban

Owen Farrell’s appeal hearing will take place early next week, Six Nations authorities have announced – with an exact date yet to be confirmed, along with details of the composition of the judicial panel.

As widely predicted, World Rugby has exercised its right to appeal against the original ruling, which allowed Farrell to play without any further sanction, after ruling that he should not have received a red card for his high tackle on Wales back-rower Taine Basham last Saturday.

Such was the fierceness of the resistance to the original judgment that a sense of inevitability prevailed over the global governing body’s decision to intervene.

Their intent is to get the message across that they are as committed to promoting player safety and well-being as they claim to be, despite suggestions to the contrary by those angered by a perceived letdown.

Ireland’s head coach Andy Farrell this week lashed out at what he deems an “absolutely disgusting” circus surrounding his son, but the protests were aimed at those in power, rather than the tackler himself.

There is a good chance that the appeal will lead to a sentence for Farrell

Such was the shock and outrage caused by the non-ban that there is a good chance that the appeal will result in Farrell Jr. being sentenced to widespread disbelief.

Basham didn’t dodge contact and a slight change of direction was accepted as an explanation, but it’s unlikely to be another successful defense.

However, there must be a judicious application of any suspension, on the grounds that the trial has been an almighty mess, which is not Farrell’s fault.

England head coach Steve Borthwick called a matchday 23 minus his captaincy for the warm-up meeting with Ireland here, claiming Farrell would have played had it not been for the disciplinary disruption.

That’s a perfectly plausible claim. Having missed the first game against Wales in Cardiff, chances are Borthwick would have wanted to continue to hone his strongest team against the leading opposition, which would have meant putting Farrell back at 10 or centre, alongside George Ford.

So if a guilty verdict is handed down next week, the overdue match against the Irish should be regarded as the first week of a ban. There would be more understandable outrage – largely English this time – if the Saracens playmaker’s non-selection to face his father’s side led to a delayed sanction.

It would be an indictment of a chaotic saga if he were denied involvement in such a momentous occasion as a World Cup quarter-final because Saturday’s match was not counted.

Let’s not have any more developments that can be lamented as an injustice. One is more than enough. So if Farrell is properly banned, week one is already over or the system will be discredited again.

It would be an indictment of a chaotic saga if he were denied involvement in a World Cup quarter-final as Saturday’s match against Ireland does not count towards a suspension

As for where this saga leaves Borthwick and England, it was an unwelcome intrusion into their World Cup preparations, but they have pedigree fallback plans. Ford at the age of 10 is an experienced and first-rate attack leader who can finally ignite the back line, while Courtney Lawes is a respected and popular choice as a substitute captain, who could stay in the captain’s armband until the end of the game. pool internship in France.

Aside from this primary issue, the visitors have a strong team to take on the world number 1 at Aviva Stadium. Freddie Steward continues at fullback – the surest of all shoo-ins – as does Joe Marchant off center and Will Stuart, who wears number 3 again, while Kyle Sinckler is forced to bide his time and ponder his possibly imminent superiority at tight.

Manu Tuilagi can add punch in midfield and David Ribbans will look to bring formidable physicality up front, while the return from injury of one of the substitutes Ollie Chessum is a welcome boost to the whole set-up. The Leicester lock is already a vital asset. But Tom Curry remains out, which is starting to be a concern, although it has created a possible open side vacancy that Ben Earl will try to claim a repeat of last weekend’s thunderous exploits.

England have power and experience but they are far underdogs against a proper Irish side. If the Borthwick men can block the Farrell ‘circus’ and bring the hosts close, with some improved fluency in their performance – along with a good dose of back-to-the-wall spirit – it will mark an encouraging end to a disturbing week.