England’s rugby prospects are facing a major blow as Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola find themselves on the brink of missing out on the initial clashes of the much-anticipated 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The dynamic duo, once considered linchpins of the team, are now in hot water due to their hazardous tackles that prompted a swift response from match officials.
Initially presented with yellow cards, the situation escalated rapidly as the new ‘bunker’ review system, elevated the penalties to red cards. The gravity of their actions has triggered a wave of uncertainty, putting their World Cup aspirations in jeopardy.
The punitive measures for such perilous tackles are multi-tiered, with the consequences ranging from a two-match sideline stint for less severe cases to a more substantial ban of up to six games for more egregious offences. The fate of Farrell and Vunipola hangs in the balance as they await their respective hearings.
For 31-year-old Owen Farrell, who also carries the weight of England’s captaincy, a virtual appearance before a tripartite independent judicial committee awaits today.
Meanwhile, the spotlight will later shift to Vunipola, whose hearing will unfold in front of an entirely distinct panel. The disparity in panels underscores the seriousness with which these infractions are being scrutinised.
With the Rugby World Cup beckoning, the timing could hardly be worse for England. Their final preparation match, slated against Fiji on 26th August, stands as the last opportunity to fine-tune strategies and solidify team dynamics before the monumental tournament kicks off.
As speculation mounts and the sporting world holds its collective breath, a crucial question looms large: just how lengthy will the bans be for these two star players? The answers remain elusive, leaving fans and pundits alike on tenterhooks as the countdown to the World Cup narrows down.
Former citing officer predicts bans:
We queried a former participant in the RFU citing system regarding his projections for the duration of suspension anticipated for each player.
Predicted Billy Vunipola ban: Four games
Vunipola was sent off against Ireland for a shoulder-to-head challenge on prop Andrew Porter on Saturday.
He predicted a four game ban. As a result, the powerhouse number 8 would miss the first three games of the 2023 Rugby WorldCup against Argentina, Chile and Japan.
Reports suggest that a lengthy ban could result in Vunipola being dropped from the squad with either Alex Dombrandt or Tom Willis being recalled to the squad.