Owen Farrell was not included in the list of 23 players for the England team to face Ireland on Saturday in Dublin, in a preparation match for the Rugby World Cup. England manager Steve Borthwick, however, said his captain had the “full support” of his team. George Ford will wear the flocked number 10 shirt instead, with Borthwick adding that he would have chosen Farrell had it not been for the significant turbulence this week due to the disciplinary proceedings following his sending off against the Country of Wales.
“In my original plan as part of our preparation for the Rugby World Cup, Owen Farrell was to be selected to play this Saturday’s Test,” Borthwick said in a statement. “However, given that much of Owen’s training and preparation time this week has been significantly affected and interrupted by the disciplinary proceedings, I have not selected him from the 23-man shortlist for the match. Owen will travel to Ireland with our full support.”
And to add: “Owen understands the situation, but he is of course disappointed, just like me, to miss such a special match in which he could have participated. Farrell, son of Irish coach Andy, was surprisingly cleared by an independent Six Nations disciplinary committee on Wednesday who found the fly-half for his armless tackle on Welshman Taine Bashman warranted just one yellow card.
The decision had caused an uproar on social media, with former players and player health advocates almost unanimous in acknowledging that it set a bad example at a time when the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury are in the spotlight. the news. World Rugby has therefore appealed the decision, but no date has been set for the hearing of the appeal.
A lengthy suspension would be a blow to Borthwick’s World Cup plans, with Farrell potentially missing England’s first two pool games against Argentina and Japan. His sanction will be known next week.
As a result, second row Courtney Lawes will be England captain in Ireland in Farrell’s absence, with Ben Earl and number eight Billy Vunipola forming the third row with him. Maro Itoje and David Ribbans will form the pair on the second row. Ellis Genge and Will Stuart have been selected to be the two starting mainstays, with Jamie George at heel. Ben Youngs will be partnered at the hinge in George Ford, while Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant will make up the center pair. Elliot Daly and Anthony Watson on the wings, while Freddie Steward retains his place at fullback.
15-Freddie Steward, 14-Anthony Watson, 13-Joe Marchant, 12-Manu Tuilagi, 11-Elliot Daly, 10-George Ford, 9-Ben Youngs, 1-Ellis Genge, 2-Jamie George, 3-Will Stuart, 4-Maro Itoje, 5-David Ribbans, 6-Courtney Lawes (cap), 7-Ben Earl, 8-Billy Vunipola
Remplaçants : 16-Theo Dan, 17-Joe Marler, 18-Kyle Sinckler, 19-Ollie Chessum, 20-Jack Willis, 21-Danny Care, 22-Marcus Smith, 23-Ollie Lawrence
