Steve Borthwick said Owen Farrell had been subjected to 'personal attacks' as the England captain was again forced to face the possibility of missing the start of the Rugby World Cup.
England coach Steve Borthwick says there was too much disruption around Owen Farrell for the skipper to be picked for Saturday's Test against Ireland.
Borthwick had wanted - and was free - to select Farrell, 31, for the warm-up game with Ireland, the world's top-rankled side, in Dublin on Saturday. "The situation is one I find really disappointing. The commentary around it seems to move from issues around the tackle to personal attacks on the character of the man, which I think is just wrong.Borthwick, clearly surprised at Farrell's case being re-opened, added:"One of the most experienced and senior panels that deal with these matters dealt with it on Tuesday. We thought it was the conclusion.
But an all-Australian disciplinary panel caused uproar on Tuesday by concluding 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." It ruled Farrell was free to play again immediately. Farrell received a three-match ban for the same offence in January, on top of five matches in 2020 and two in 2016.
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