The astonishing decision to withdraw Owen Farrell’s red card is yet another example of rugby shooting itself in the foot. It has turned the game into a complete and utter joke.
When I first heard that Farrell had been cleared to play with immediate effect, I was stunned and stunned. My response was, “You’re kidding, aren’t you?”
Everyone I spoke to in the match expected the England captain to receive a long suspension and miss at least the early stages of the World Cup after his high shot at Wales’ Taine Basham.
Those same people, like me, were completely shocked by Farrell’s acquittal. Personally, I am amazed. There is no greater supporter of English rugby – and Farrell – than me.
England will of course be delighted that Farrell is now available for the World Cup. But I have to say that the decision about him didn’t do them any good or the game itself.
Owen Farrell’s red card for a high tackle on Taine Basham during England’s win over Wales was withdrawn on Tuesday
The decision was overturned after a three-hour hearing in a surprise outcome for Farrell
Rugby fans around the world – and that includes England supporters – are generally incredulous about what has happened and they have every right to be.
The independent judicial commission that ruled in Farrell’s case decided that the foul play rating officer should not have upgraded his card from yellow to red.
They did this on the basis that Basham had been hit by English hooker Jamie George and that the Welsh player’s direction changed before he was tackled by Farrell.
That was enough for them to say there was mitigation and the card should have stayed yellow. Farrell was initially sent to the sin bin for a collision with Basham, but rugby’s new bunker rating system decided he should have been sent off after analyzing television footage. I don’t think anyone can contradict that view.
In saying that the officer who made the bunker rating decision was wrong, the new system – which seemed to work well for me at Twickenham – has now been completely undermined.
My opinion is that the bunker rating system is a welcome addition to the game.
But the three Australian judges on the committee have now essentially said it doesn’t work. I would like to know what kind of rugby experience they have to make that decision.
All three have let the game down badly on the eve of its biggest event.
Sir Clive Woodward says the decision is another example of rugby shooting itself in the foot
The Australian judges on the committee severely let down the match on the eve of the World Cup
What happens the next time a player makes a high tackle and the decision is controlled by the bunker system? I can tell you. Players will take the Farrell case as a benchmark.
They’ll say, “Farrell got out, so why shouldn’t I?”
Zander Fagerson of Scotland and his head coach Gregor Townsend must be absolutely furious.
Fagerson saw his yellow go through the bunker system to red and received a suspension after a high tackle against France.
I would be fascinated to know why he was suspended and Farrell was not, as there was no difference in the offenses committed.
Rugby is in a very strange position when a professional team of referees decides a red card and then a panel of Australian judges tells them they’re wrong.
Unfortunately, that is exactly the position we are in! It’s a farce and a huge self-defeat for the sport on so many levels. I’m really not sure where rugby goes from here.
The sport is struggling and needs to attract new fans. This kind of farce will not only fail to do that, but will also put the rugby aficionados off it.
Tremendous pressure will be on Steve Borthwick (center) as the Farrell debate continues
Farrell should have been suspended for three or four games and even a one or two game suspension would have been acceptable to some extent.
Reversing the red card completely is so wrong.
I’m sure England head coach Steve Borthwick expected a lengthy suspension and now he’s under enormous pressure. The Farrell debate will dominate the coming weeks.
Again, that’s not good for rugby on the eve of a World Cup. It’s more negative headlines that the game doesn’t need.
It was expected that George Ford would start at number 10 against Ireland on Saturday.
With Farrell available again, Borthwick is in for a big call. The spotlight will be on the couple for some time to come.
But if she or anyone connected to English rugby thinks this decision will soon be forgotten, they are very, very wrong. This is going to run and run.