Saracens point guard Owen Farrell will be available in England’s Six Nations opening game against Scotland despite a four-game suspension.
Farrell was not penalized for interfering with Gloucester back rower Jack Clement during the match, but was banned for four matches by an independent disciplinary committee.
He will miss at least three of the Saracens’ games, including two Champions Cup games, but will be available for a fourth game if he completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Program.
Struggle
Farrell made direct contact with Clement’s jaw in the final stages of the Premiership match between Gloucester and Saracens last weekend.
Although the TMO flagged the incident for referee Karl Dickson, the interference was not penalized as it could not be determined whether the incident had occurred at the previous stage.
Farrell went on to mark the game-winning relegation goal for the Saracens.
Disciplinary decision
“Farrell admitted foul play but claimed he met the red card threshold, but the panel upheld the accusation and Farrell received a four-game ban,” an RFU statement said.
If he completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Program, his sentence will be reduced to a three-week ban.
The panel acknowledged that Farrell put up a reckless fight that guaranteed a six-week mid-range entry point.
He was ineligible for a full 50% reduction in his sentence because of his previous dangerous interference. Charlie Atkinson. Farrell was suspended for five weeks for this fight.
However, he was given a two-week rebate for ‘a timely admission of guilt and consideration of his behavior after the incident, during and before the trial’.
Farrell will miss the following games:
14.01 – Lyon
22.01 – Edinburgh
28.01 – Bristol
19.02 – Leicester Tigers
As mentioned, the four-game suspension will be reduced to three games if World Rugby completes its coaching intervention program.
By doing so, he will be able to continue playing after the Saracens’ Premiership match against Bristol on January 28.
England’s Six Nations opening match against Scotland on 4 February
READ MORE: Ben Earl: Saracens aim to double Premiership-Champions Cup for third time
Owen Farrell: The Saracens star has been banned for four matches, but his current article for England’s Six Nations opening match was first published on Planetrugby.com.