England’s captain, Owen Farrell, may potentially be absent from their World Cup opener against Argentina due to his ejection during their pre-tournament victory over Wales at Twickenham.
Employing the new ‘Bunker’ review system, Farrell became the inaugural English player to have a yellow card upgraded to a red, following a high tackle on Taine Basham.
Wales gained an advantage as Tomos Williams scored subsequent to a penalty try, during which three England players were in the sin bin.
Reducing the point gap, Maro Itoje secured a try, and George Ford secured victory for England with a successful penalty kick.
In a somewhat untidy Test match where neither team displayed their finest form, Farrell managed to contribute three penalties. This match marked England’s attempt to avenge their defeat by Wales in Cardiff the previous week.
Below, we look at five changes Borthwick should make for England’s trip to face Ireland in Dublin next weekend.
#1. Owen Farrell
Evening Standard 5/10: “His tackle technique will come under renewed scrutiny after a poor red card.”
Planet Rugby 3/10: “Kicked well at goal, but the elephant in the room is the skipper’s tackle technique that, again, earned him a red card and possibly a suspension putting the beginning of his Rugby World Cup at risk. A Test he would like to forget.”
Telegraph 4/10: “Started well but there was a strange choice to pass back inside on one attack. Then his problematic tackle technique reared its head again, sent off after being reviewed by the TMO bunker. A ban looms.”
Rugby Pass 0/10: “Farrell couldn’t help himself, his ugly shoulder contact to the head of Basham rightly upgraded to a red card after TMO bunker review of the yellow he initially received. Now faces missing England important pool opener versus Argentina. Had started well, with good variety in his game but doesn’t matter a whit now.”
Replacement: George Ford or Marcus Smith