Rugby Union authorities are under significant pressure to challenge the "startling" verdict that reversed Owen Farrell's red card due to dangerous play, allowing him to resume playing immediately.
The 'Bunker' review system resulted in an elevation of Farrell's yellow card to a red card following a high tackle on Taine Basham.
Nonetheless, during the assessment by a disciplinary panel, they noted a shift in the dynamics of the contact zone as a mitigating factor.
The panel explained that the participation of England's Jamie George in the tackle influenced Basham's change in trajectory.
Reports this morning suggest World Rugby chiefs, which is headed up by former England captain Bill Beaumont, will be discussing the decision today.
However, at this stage an appeal seems unlikely.
Orthopedic surgeon Prof John Fairclough, a member of the player welfare group Progressive Rugby, responded that the verdict communicates an "entirely erroneous message."
He said: “I do hope World Rugby or the Six Nations appeals this decision because otherwise all of us involved in community or youth rugby will find it very difficult to say to our players ‘tackle below the waist’.
“Because what they are seeing is that if you get a good barrister you will, as was said by Ford, they got away with it.
“That’s a really very bizarre thing because the neurons in the head of Taine Basham certainly didn’t get away with it because he had a head injury assessment that he failed. There is no legal representation for the brain of the injured player.”
Owen Farrell has been named the ‘biggest cheat’ in rugby today
Fans have been ranking who they consider the dirtiest players in the game today. In some cases it seems unpopularity saw them picked while other stars have been named and shamed for their thuggish actions on the field.
#5. Dan Biggar (Wales)
Biggar is the epitome of players you hate until they are on your team.The way the fly-half continues to moan to referees vociferously has seemingly only got worse throughout his career.
It got so bad that popular online personality and diehard Scotland fan Glove39 made a video called ‘birdman’ mocking the way in which he always raises his arms in frustration to officials.
#3. Nic White (Australia)
White has become arguably the most unpopular player in world rugby over the past 12 months..
Last year, White fell about like a lion had attempted to rip off his face after Faf de Klerk accidentally made contact with it while attempting to dislodge the ball out of his hands as he attempted a pass.
After consulting with the television match official, referee Paul Williams adjudicated that this warranted a yellow card for de Klerk.
This decision sent the world of rugby into meltdown, with criticism coming from all quarters aimed at White for bringing the game into disrepute.
#3. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
The world Cup-winning lock is undoubtedly world-class, but he is also one of the dirtiest players in the sport. If your team has played against him, you will not be a fan. A proper sh**house, but huge biceps.
#2. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
The expert in unsportsmanlike behavior. Sexton is skilled in exaggerating contact or distracting officials, knowing precisely when to employ his repertoire of underhanded tactics.
His most recent example of on-field nouse came against Wales during the 2023 Six Nations. The yellow card handed to Liam Williams in the 65th minute for a high hit on Sexton took a while to come as it was reviewed from multiple angles by the officials.
Wales fans piled in on Sexton after the Williams sin-binning, with one writing: 'Sexton play acted a head injury. Blatant cheating.'
Another Wales fan vented: 'That Liam Williams yellow card shows why rugby will be dead in a few years – nothing wrong with Liams body shape and Sexton play acting sums up how rugby has drastically changed for the worse. It’s a mockery to the real injuries.'
Another commented on Sexton being seen winking after the card, and said that his behaviour would "destroy the spectacle that is International rugby"
#1. Owen Farrell (England)
Could it be anybody else? Farrell fits the label “our guy” better than most, meaning you love to hate him unless he’s in your squad. Then you’d go to the end’s of the earth to defend him.
The England captain, also known as 'Shoulder boy' for his high tackling, does himself no favours with his poor tackling technique.
Last weekend, 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.
The panel said the involvement of England's Jamie George in the tackle caused Basham to change direction.
Owen Farrell facts:
The Saracens star went to school with England teammate George Ford
His education began in rugby league – he joined Wigan St Patricks at the age of eight
He became the youngest ever player to appear in English professional rugby, making his debut aged 17 and 11 days. This record was later beaten by schoolmate Ford
It’s well known that Owen is the son of Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. However, it’s less commonly know that his uncle Sean O’Loughlin is also a rugby league legend, winning 34 caps for Great Britain between 1993 and 2009
He was not at first registered as a Farrell, but took mum Colleen’s family name of O’Loughlin. The couple married in 1995, changing Owen’s surname to Farrell the following year.
