World Rugby officially appeal Owen Farrell disciplinary decision

World Rugby have officially appealed the decision to downgrade Owen Farrell’s red card following a Six Nations disciplinary hearing held on Tuesday.

During England’s 19-17 victory over Wales at Twickenham, the England fly-half received a yellow card for a shoulder-to-head tackle on Taine Basham, which was later upgraded to red following a TMO bunker review.

This then led to a 3.5-hour video hearing on Tuesday where an anticipated six-match ban, possibly ruling him out of the World Cup opener against Argentina, was impending.

However, despite past suspensions for similar incidents, he was cleared by an all-Australian judicial committee that ruled the tackle deserved only a yellow card, disputing the bunker’s red decision upgrade.

The verdict considered England hooker Jamie George’s attempted tackle on Basham, asserting it caused the Welshman to alter direction before Farrell’s challenge and influenced the outcome.

The decision was met with widespread criticism, much of it levelled at World Rugby despite the hearing falling under Six Nations’ oversight and not the sport’s governing body. Now World Rugby have officially appealed the decision.

A statement read: “World Rugby has today [Thursday] confirmed to the Rugby Football Union and Six Nations Rugby that it will exercise its right to appeal in regard to the Owen Farrell disciplinary decision following a careful review of the independent judicial committee’s full written decision received on August 16.

“World Rugby fully supports the important role that an independent disciplinary process plays in upholding the integrity and values of the sport, particularly regarding foul play involving head contact.

“Player welfare is the sport’s number one priority, and the head contact process is central to that mission at the elite level of the sport. Having considered the full written decision, World Rugby considers an appeal to be warranted.

“In line with provisions set out under regulation 17, an independent appeal committee will be appointed to determine the matter at the earliest possible opportunity.

“Further details regarding the hearing, including appointments and date, will be confirmed by Six Nations Rugby.”