In the Premiership match between Gloucester and Saracens on Friday night, a questionable high tackle from Owen Farrell on Jack Clement late on led to a lot of frustration on the consistency on the rules.
Farrell went on to score a last-minute drop goal in controversial circumstances.
University of Gloucestershire Rugby captain Sam Rhymes had this to say about the tackle and the situation.
“It’s the kind of tackle their trying to get rid of in the game, the whole issue is it went unnoticed,” said Rhymes.
This comes back to the issue with consistency as the television match official (TMO) looked at the tackle but perceived it as too far back to change the decision.
Leading to more controversy as Gloucester’s own Albert Tuisue has been given a two week ban for repeated tackle infringements but hinting in his interview that Farrell should be getting due repercussions for a tackle deemed more dangerous than his.
Tuisue missed the Saracens game because of his ban and will be back soon.
Rhymes stands with Tuisue saying, “The biggest thing for Gloucester fans is the consistency, you can’t have two similar situations have completely different repercussions.”
Farrell has now been cited for his challenge on Clement, with a decision soon to be made on if the England captain will miss the start of the Six Nations against Scotland in February.
This is not the first time Farrell has been in the news for a ban after missing key Champions Cup games in 2020 with a five-week ban as well as the controversy in 2021 about his tackling technique and if it should be considered legal.
It is not yet known if this potential ban will make the 31-year-old fly half think twice before he puts in a dangerous tackle.
England fans are eagerly awaiting the start of one of the biggest international rugby tournaments around and they will be disappointed to hear their captain could well miss the opening game.
They face Scotland on the February 3rd and intend to open well and do better than a disappointing tournament last year, with two wins from five and a third-place finish.
England fans won’t be the only ones missing Farrell’s presence as he may miss the next few matches for Saracens who are currently top of the Premiership above Sale Sharks.
The Sharks won their last game against Harlequins and will want to make up some ground as the season starts take shape.
