How long a ban?

[Oakboy]

That has also just fecked the bunker system. 10 minutes to make a 'wrong' decision.

Let's face it, it would surprise nobody if Farrell does it again. What happens then? The bunker reviewer dare not upgrade to red because it's Farrell?

This is the worst disciplinary decision since they let off the two NZ guys for pile-driving BOD.

[morepork]

Of course he will do it again. Why is this niggly mediocre player allowed so much consistent leniency regarding form and behaviour? And what a spectacularly ridiculous precedent to set with RWC only weeks away.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Golden boy Farrell's charmed life continues. I'd say unbelievable but this is so totally believable of world rugby. And so the head injuries will roll on.

[Spiffy]

The England management should do the right thing here and give him a lengthy in-house ban anyway. (yeah - sure!). Wonder if he'll be picked v. Ireland at the weekend? There is a very good case for leaving him out, based solely on his playing limitations, never mind ban.

[Mikey Brown]

That has also just fecked the bunker system. 10 minutes to make a 'wrong' decision.

This is the worst disciplinary decision since they let off the two NZ guys for pile-driving BOD.

I’m tempted to say it’s actually worse. Not the tackle itself (not by a long way) but this is an incredibly common tackle situation and they have just turned years of focus and regulation (in the name of keeping the sport alive when a whole generation of pros have brain damage) completely on it’s head.

The 10 minute review was a great idea and that’s now completely fucked. Every game will have 25 minutes worth of TMO deliberation about who was more in the wrong, the person tackling at head height, or the person who dipped by 3 inches as they carried the ball.

Might as well watch NFL at this point with the amount of stoppages and time wasted. What a fucking joke.

[Sandydragon]

I'm flitting about a bit but I think I saw on Twitter that World Rugby have 48 hours to overturn the overturning if they wish. This could get very smelly very quickly.

I think they have to appeal even if just to draw a clear line for officials leading into the tightest World Cup in recent editions.

They should but I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t. Not good for their upcoming legal actions.

[Son of Mathonwy]

This is especial bullshit, as the IRB's framework says that mitigation from a red to a yellow is not available if it is an "always illegal action" like, for example, hitting someone with a shoulder and a tucked arm. Even if George's actions were taken to have caused enough of a drop in height, it shouldn't matter because it's an illegal action to begin with.

Puja

To further reinforce your correct point here is said framework.

https://www.world.rugby/the-game/laws/guidelines/26

I'm surprised to see that in the framework. This doesn't seem like the first time it's been ignored.

[Banquo]

More evidence for the class action against World Rugby I'd think.

edit....a class action against someone, as apparently not WR jurisdiction

[Banquo]

The England management should do the right thing here and give him a lengthy in-house ban anyway. (yeah - sure!). Wonder if he'll be picked v. Ireland at the weekend? There is a very good case for leaving him out, based solely on his playing limitations, never mind ban.

Excellent point. Could do with a moral stance here.

[Mellsblue]

https://x.com/rugbyandthelaw/status/169 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

[Mikey Brown]

More evidence for the class action against World Rugby I'd think.

I’ve not remotely checked this but people saying on Reddit that, because it was a local commission, World Rugby can actually appeal against it? Not that they will obviously, but it kind of demonstrates what a mess this all is.


Oooooor just read the post above and ignore what I said.

[morepork]

More evidence for the class action against World Rugby I'd think.

Oh yes.

[Son of Mathonwy]

The England management should do the right thing here and give him a lengthy in-house ban anyway. (yeah - sure!). Wonder if he'll be picked v. Ireland at the weekend? There is a very good case for leaving him out, based solely on his playing limitations, never mind ban.

Excellent point. Could do with a moral stance here.

I can just about imagine him being rested this weekend for PR reasons . . . but an in-house ban, a moral stance? Ain't gonna happen.

[Banquo]

The England management should do the right thing here and give him a lengthy in-house ban anyway. (yeah - sure!). Wonder if he'll be picked v. Ireland at the weekend? There is a very good case for leaving him out, based solely on his playing limitations, never mind ban.

Excellent point. Could do with a moral stance here.

I can just about imagine him being rested this weekend for PR reasons . . . but an in-house ban, a moral stance? Ain't gonna happen.

No, but you can only express a wish innit

[Banquo]

The overwhelming outrage everywhere I suspect might mean some sort of review.

[Puja]

I'm flitting about a bit but I think I saw on Twitter that World Rugby have 48 hours to overturn the overturning if they wish. This could get very smelly very quickly.

I think they have to appeal even if just to draw a clear line for officials leading into the tightest World Cup in recent editions.

I mean, the downgrading is utter nonsense in the first place, but surely that can't be a thing? Surely the disciplinary hearing is the disciplinary hearing and they can't possibly relitigate it again?

Puja

[Tom Moore]

Can the WRU appeal the decision? I'm assuming there's no appeal facility for angry message board users?

[Oakboy]

The England management should do the right thing here and give him a lengthy in-house ban anyway. (yeah - sure!). Wonder if he'll be picked v. Ireland at the weekend? There is a very good case for leaving him out, based solely on his playing limitations, never mind ban.

Excellent point. Could do with a moral stance here.

The snag is that our rugby hierarchy think he is our best FH and a worthy captain. On the back of that logic, any moral stance to drop him/discipline him can only parachute down from 'cloud cuckoo land'.

[Mellsblue]

https://x.com/andnickmullins/status/169 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

[Oakboy]

https://x.com/andnickmullins/status/169 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

The more often I read that the more often I just think 'corrupt'!

[Mellsblue]

Twatter is on fire with this. I never seen such unanimity over foul play. The below might be the perfect example of why.

https://x.com/andyburke_/status/1691457 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

[Insouciant]

https://twitter.com/nickheathsport/stat ... 0805422080

George Ford almost saying what everyone is thinking..

Edit* - here's the audio https://twitter.com/ek_rugby/status/1691455645072183296

[Mellsblue]

Official comms to media:

https://x.com/ruaidhrioc/status/1691430 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

[Mellsblue]

https://twitter.com/nickheathsport/stat ... 0805422080

George Ford almost saying what everyone is thinking..

That made me lol.

[Big D]

I'm flitting about a bit but I think I saw on Twitter that World Rugby have 48 hours to overturn the overturning if they wish. This could get very smelly very quickly.

I think they have to appeal even if just to draw a clear line for officials leading into the tightest World Cup in recent editions.

They should but I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t. Not good for their upcoming legal actions.

It's not good for the refs either. Everyone would have sent him off.