Owen Farrell to miss first two World Cup pool games

Owen Farrell will miss England’s first two World Cup pool games after his ban has been reinstated following an appeal by World Rugby.

The England captain will miss games against Argentina and Japan, along with two warm-up fixtures, following the decision the rule against his overturned red card.

Farrell was the first England player to receive a red card from rugby’s new ‘bunker’ review system after he made a high tackle on Taine Basham during England’s 19-17 win over Wales on August 12. 

The appeal committee found that the disciplinary committee should have considered Farrell’s attempt to wrap his opponent in the tackle. That led the appeal committee to determine that no mitigation could be made for the tackle, meaning the decision to overturn the red card was an error.

England’s opening game of the World Cup is against Argentina on September 9 in Marseille.