Following an initial Disciplinary Committee hearing for Owen Farrell, who received a red card during the Summer Nations Series match between England and Wales on Saturday 12th August, World Rugby lodged a formal appeal against the Committees’ decision to downgrade the red card to a yellow, appealing for the red card to be upheld.
The Appeal Committee met on Tuesday 22nd August and unanimously determined that in the original hearing the Disciplinary Committee should have considered the attempt of the player to wrap his opponent in the tackle. This point did not feature in the original decision.
The failure to attempt to wrap was judged to be an important element of the Foul Play Review Officer’s (FPRO) report and had led to an upgrading of the referee’s yellow card to a red card during the match.
As this element did not feature in the original decision, the Appeal Committee decided it was in the interests of justice to hear the case afresh on that key point alone, which included hearing from the player.
Following the review by the Appeal Committee of this key element, it was determined that the FPRO was correct in his decision leading to the red card. The Appeal Committee subsequently determined that the tackle was ‘always illegal’.
When applying the terms of World Rugby’s Head Contact Process, no mitigation can be applied to a tackle that is ‘always illegal’.
The Appeal Committee therefore considered that the Disciplinary Committee’s decision to downgrade the red card to a yellow card had been manifestly wrong, which led to the Disciplinary Committee’s decision being overturned, the appeal brought by World Rugby being allowed, and the red card upheld.
In considering sanction, the Committee applied World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point for foul play resulting in contact with the head (six-matches). Taking all considerations into account, including the player’s acceptance of foul play, clear demonstration of remorse and his good character, the Committee agreed a four-match suspension.
The Appeal Committee accepted submissions on behalf of the player that the Ireland v England match on 19 August 2023, for which the player was voluntarily stood down would be included as part of the sanction. Therefore, the suspension applies to the following matches:
Ireland v England - 19 August 2023
England v Fiji - 26 August 2023
England v Argentina - 9 September 2023
England v Japan - 17 September 2023
England fly-half Owen Farrell appeared before an independent judicial committee via video link having received a red card for an act of foul play, contrary to Law 9.13, in the Summer Nations Series match between England and Wales on Saturday 12th August 2023.
Law 9.13 - A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.
The independent Judicial Committee consisting of Adam Casselden SC – Chair, John Langford and David Croft, all from Australia, heard the case, considering all the available evidence and submissions from the player and his representative.
The player acknowledged that whilst he had committed an act of foul play, he denied that the act was worthy of a red card. After reviewing all the evidence, questioning the player in detail and hearing submissions from the player’s representative, the Committee concluded that the Foul Play Review Officer was wrong, on the balance of probabilities, to upgrade the yellow card issued to the player to a red card.
The Committee determined, when applying World Rugby’s Head Contact Process, that mitigation should be applied to the high degree of danger found by the Foul Play Review Officer. The Committee found that a late change in dynamics due to England #2’s interaction in the contact area brought about a sudden and significant change in direction from the ball carrier. In the Committee’s opinion, this mitigation was sufficient to bring the player’s act of foul play below the red card threshold.
The Committee believe it is important to record, that no criticism is made of the Foul Play Review Officer nor, would any be warranted. Unlike the Foul Play Review Officer the Committee had the luxury of time to deliberate and consider, in private, the incident and the proper application of the Head Contact Process.
The Committee believe this is in contrast to the Foul Play Review Officer, who was required to make his decision in a matter of minutes without the benefit of all the additional material including hearing from the player and his legal representative. On that basis, the Committee did not uphold the red card and the player is free to play again immediately.
The agreement will see CBRE continue to provide property consultancy and advisory services, as well as significant upgrade and improvement works to Twickenham Stadium. These works include the replacement of the East Stand roof and the development of the RFU’s long-term sustainability and energy management strategy plus its facilities management services.
Mr Perry provided an out of competition urine sample at his home on 28 October 2019. The sample was found to contain an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for oxandrolone and its metabolites. Oxandrolone is a non-specified substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List 2019.
After the announcement that trials for spectators to return to sporting events from 1 October would now be cancelled because of a rise in coronavirus cases, it could be a number of months before fans return to stadiums. The COVID-19 alert level has moved to 4, meaning transmission is "high or rising exponentially."
Charles Tyrwhitt will collaborate with England Rugby to tailor an exclusive collection of bespoke formalwear to dress the men’s and women’s senior squads.
The Autumn Nations Cup will be the first competitive Autumn international tournament and the first full tournament after a six month break for international rugby.
Farrell was shown a red card by referee Christophe Ridley in the 61st minute of the match between Saracens and Wasps on Saturday 5 September 2020. This was for a dangerous tackle on Wasps’ Charlie Atkinson, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.13.
Mr Stafford was charged with an ADRV of Evading Sample collection in breach of World Rugby Regulation 21.2.3 (Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection). He has been banned from all sports for three and a half years, from 16 July 2019 to 15 January 2023.
Commencing from 1 September 2020, the extension will run until the end of the 2023/24 season having originally teamed up with England Rugby in 2016.
The debut collection will be available to buy at www.neweracap.eu and www.englandrugbystore.com from 7 August 2020. The collection, which features the iconic red rose emblem, will give rugby fans a number of popular headwear styles to choose from including the 9FORTY adjustable, 9FIFTY stretch snap and a seasonal offering of knitwear.
Global Summit 2024