OWEN FARRELL HAS escaped a ban for a high tackle on England team-mate Anthony Watson in Saracens’ Premiership final victory over Bath on Saturday.
England fly-half Farrell escaped punishment during the showpiece at Twickenham for an incident in the second minute in which Mako Vunipola went low in the tackle to Watson, while Farrell made impact with the Bath full-back’s chest and head.
Watson tried to continue but six minutes later left the field to be assessed and was not able to return. During that time Farrell had already scored Saracens’ first try on his way to a man-of-the-match performance in a 28-16 victory.
https://vine.co/v/ehBgF1I9Udh
Farrell later stated that he apologised to Watson for the tackle, while Bath coach Mike Ford thought referee Wayne Barnes should have produced a red card.
A statement from the Rugby Football Union confirmed that Farrell will not receive a ban, though, instead hitting him with a Citing Commissioner Warning, leaving the 23-year-old breathing a sigh of relief with England set to host the Rugby World Cup later this year.
If a player is issued three warnings they are subject to disciplinary proceedings, but Farrell has not received enough foul play yellow cards or Citing Commission Warnings to face punishment. Bath’s Rob Webber was also handed a warning for tackling a jumper in the air during the same match.
Farrell told BBC Sport: “I apologised to him [Watson] after the game and told him there was no intent. He was pretty down.
“I feel bad that Ant had to go off but there was no intent from me and there never would be in that situation.
“I’m not that type of player. Things like this happen in rugby.”
Bath head coach Mike Ford felt Farrell should have received a red card for the tackle.
“It was an illegal challenge square on the nose and we lost one of our best players,” said Ford.
“The other guy stayed on and got man of the match.”
Saracens ran out 28-16 winners at Twickenham with Farrell scoring 18 points.
