Former Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards believes justice has been served after Owen Farrell’s red card was overturned.
Farrell’s yellow card was upgraded to red by the new ‘Bunker’ review system after a high tackle on Taine Basham.
However, a disciplinary panel reviewing the incident cited a change in dynamic in the contact area as a mitigation.
Writing in his column for the Mail Online, Edwards wrote: “Justice has been served for Owen Farrell. I was one of the few people who thought his red card was wrong. It’s right that he’s been cleared to play.
“We’re living in a world of slow-motion replays. These frame-by-frame pictures are so different to what players see on the pitch.
“The thing I didn’t like about the incident at Twickenham was the way all the opposition players threw their hands in the air as soon to appeal.
“It happens all the time now, as soon as someone goes anywhere near the head. It’s like soccer, calling for red cards. Sorry, that’s not rugby for me. Let the referees do their job.
|Rugby’s in a funny place around player safety. Of course player safety is paramount but the reality is it’s a collision sport.”
The panel highlighted that the involvement of Jamie George from the England team in the tackle played a role in prompting Basham to alter his direction, leading to the panel’s decision to reverse the red card.
The independent judicial committee (IJC) said: “After reviewing all the evidence, questioning the player in detail and hearing submissions from the player’s representative, the committee concluded that the foul play review officer was wrong, on the balance of probabilities, to upgrade the yellow card issued to the player to a red card.
“The committee found that a late change in dynamics due to England number two’s [George] interaction in the contact area brought about a sudden and significant change in direction from the ball carrier.”
Five most hated rugby players, named and ranked:
We have curated a compilation of individuals who, through their actions on and off the field, have acquired a regrettable reputation within the game. Their notoriety extends beyond specific fan bases or clubs; it encompasses the entire rugby community.
#5. Dan Biggar (Wales)
Amusingly, Biggar epitomizes the kind of player who manages to invoke strong dislike until he becomes a part of your own team.
Over the course of his career, this fly-half has exhibited a growing penchant for passionately berating referees.
This behavior has reached such heights that Glove39, a renowned online personality and unwavering fan of Scotland, cleverly crafted a video titled ‘birdman.’
In this video, Glove39 humorously mimicked Biggar’s habitual arm-raising expression of frustration directed at officials.