What Happened to Owen Farrell? What is Going On With Owen Farrell?
by Mathelene
Updated Aug 19, 2023
What Happened to Owen Farrell?
Owen Farrell, the England rugby team captain, was involved in a significant controversy during a match against Wales. In this match, which ended in a 19-17 victory for England, Farrell was initially given a red card for a high tackle on Welsh player Taine Basham. The tackle involved Farrell's shoulder making contact with Basham's head, which led to his ejection from the game.
However, after the match, an independent panel was convened to review the incident and the decision to issue a red card to Farrell. This panel considered a key mitigating factor in the incident: the actions of another player, Jamie George, who had pushed Taine Basham just moments before Farrell's tackle. This push caused a sudden change in Basham's direction and dynamics, which had an impact on the nature of Farrell's tackle.
The panel reviewed the situation and determined that the push from George altered the circumstances of the tackle, making it less severe than initially perceived. They concluded that this late change in dynamics contributed to a sudden and significant shift in direction for Basham, leading to Farrell's contact with Basham's head. This interpretation of events led the panel to reduce the severity of the offense, and they decided to overturn the red card that had been issued to Farrell during the game.
As a result of this decision, Farrell's punishment was downgraded from a red card (which would typically result in a ban) to a yellow card. A red card usually carries a more significant suspension, often ranging from four to six weeks or even more, depending on the nature of the offense. In contrast, a yellow card indicates a temporary removal from the game for ten minutes but doesn't usually result in a subsequent ban.
This decision sparked intense debate within the rugby community, with many expressing their disagreement and concern over the panel's interpretation of events. Critics argued that the decision seemed to deviate from established precedents for similar tackles and that the mitigating factor might not have warranted such a significant reduction in punishment.
The controversy surrounding this decision led World Rugby, the sport's governing body, to decide to appeal the independent panel's verdict. This means that the debate over Farrell's red card, its overturning, and the subsequent yellow card is far from over. The appeal process could potentially affect Farrell's participation in the upcoming Rugby World Cup, as his eligibility and punishment will be re-evaluated based on the appeal outcome.
What is Going On With Owen Farrell?
Owen Farrell, the England rugby team captain, has found himself at the center of a significant and controversial incident during a recent match against Wales. In this match, which ended with England winning 19-17, Farrell was involved in a high tackle on Welsh player Taine Basham, leading to a red card being issued to Farrell and his subsequent ejection from the game.
The red card decision caused an immediate stir in the rugby community due to its potential impact on Farrell's participation in upcoming matches, including the highly anticipated Rugby World Cup. A red card typically results in a player being suspended for a certain number of weeks, often ranging from four to six weeks or more, depending on the severity of the offense.
However, after the match, an independent panel was convened to review the incident and the decision to issue a red card to Farrell. The panel took into account a crucial factor that had not been immediately apparent: the actions of another player, Jamie George.
Just before Farrell's tackle, George had pushed Taine Basham, causing a sudden change in the direction and dynamics of the tackle. The panel argued that this "late change in dynamics" brought about a significant alteration in the circumstances of the tackle, which influenced the impact of Farrell's contact with Basham's head.
Based on this analysis, the independent panel decided to overturn the red card that had been given to Farrell during the game. They concluded that the push from George had played a pivotal role in the outcome of the tackle, making it less severe than initially thought. Consequently, Farrell's punishment was downgraded from a red card to a yellow card.
A yellow card typically results in the player being temporarily removed from the game for ten minutes, but it doesn't carry the same subsequent ban as a red card. The panel's decision ignited intense debates within the rugby community. Many expressed their disagreement with the interpretation of events and the severity of the punishment reduction.
Critics argued that the panel's decision seemed to diverge from established precedents for similar tackles and questioned whether the mitigating factor was substantial enough to warrant such a significant alteration in Farrell's punishment. The controversy escalated further when World Rugby, the governing body of the sport, decided to appeal the independent panel's verdict.
This appeal means that the case is far from resolved and will undergo further scrutiny, potentially affecting Farrell's eligibility and participation in the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Who is Owen Farrell?
Owen Andrew O'Loughlin Farrell, born on September 24, 1991, is a skilled professional rugby union player hailing from England. He is prominently positioned as a fly-half and assumes the role of captain for the England national team, while also plying his trade for Saracens, a prominent club in Premiership Rugby.
Farrell's international rugby journey commenced in 2012, when he earned his first cap for the English national team. Over the years, he has solidified his place as a key figure in English rugby, gaining recognition for his exceptional skills and contributions. Notably, he has accumulated a remarkable feat of surpassing 1,000 points scored in a total of 100 test matches. This remarkable achievement firmly establishes him as one of the highest point scorers in the history of international test rugby.
While Farrell's preferred position is as a fly-half, his versatility and proficiency on the field have led him to frequently assume the role of inside centre in test matches. This adaptability underscores his capacity to excel across various positions and showcases his strategic acumen on the rugby pitch.
Remarkably, Farrell's deep-rooted connection to rugby extends beyond his own achievements. His father, Andy Farrell, is a notable figure in the rugby world. Andy Farrell, who currently serves as the head coach for the Ireland national rugby team, has left a significant impact on both rugby union and rugby league. He represented England in both formats of the game, showcasing the family's rich legacy and commitment to the sport.
Owen Farrell Age
As of the year 2023, Owen Farrell's age stands at 31 years. Farrell's involvement in rugby traces back to his early years when he was just eight years old. He commenced his rugby journey by playing rugby league in his hometown of Wigan for the team Wigan St Patricks.
In 2005, a pivotal development occurred in Farrell's life when his father, Andy Farrell, secured a deal with Saracens. This led to the family relocating to Harpenden in Hertfordshire. It was during this time that Owen, at the age of 13 or 14, had his first introduction to rugby union, marking a significant departure from his rugby league background.
Reflecting on this transition in a 2014 interview with The Guardian newspaper, Farrell shared his initial reluctance to leave behind his roots in Wigan. At that pivotal age of 14, he was adamant about not wanting to depart from his familiar surroundings and the sport he had grown to love, rugby league. Despite his reservations, Farrell ultimately embraced the change and became the first member of his family to find a sense of settlement in the new environment.
Within his family unit, Farrell has two younger sisters named Elleshia and Gracie, as well as a younger brother named Gabriel. This familial context offers a glimpse into the personal aspects of Farrell's life beyond his rugby career.
Owen Farrell Career
From 2008 to 2009, Owen Farrell achieved the distinction of being the youngest player ever to participate in English professional rugby union. This record was established when he took the field for Saracens just 11 days after his 17th birthday. This event transpired during a match against Llanelli Scarlets in the EDF Energy Cup on October 5, 2008. However, this record was later surpassed in November 2009 by George Ford of Leicester Tigers.
During the period spanning from 2010 to 2012, Farrell's career continued to evolve. In the 2010-11 season, he was loaned to Bedford Blues, a club outside of Saracens. Nevertheless, he returned to Saracens and played a pivotal role in the 2010-11 Aviva Premiership Final. His contributions included kicking five penalties and converting a try, amounting to a personal tally of 17 points. This performance significantly contributed to Saracens' victory over reigning champions Leicester Tigers with a score of 22-18.
Farrell's prowess as a player was recognized when he was named "man of the match" in a game against Harlequins, where Saracens emerged victorious with a score of 26-14. The head coach of Saracens at the time, Mark McCall, praised Farrell's maturity and control over the game, noting his ability to excel as both a center and a fly-half.
In the 2013-14 season, Farrell and Saracens experienced both triumphs and setbacks. Although they reached the Heineken Cup final against Toulon, they were defeated 23-6. Additionally, they suffered a 24-20 loss in the Aviva Premiership Final against Northampton. Despite these challenges, Farrell's performance was impacted by an injury incurred during a match against Leicester Tigers.
A collision with Niki Goneva led to him being knocked unconscious and carried off the field on a stretcher in a neck brace. The 2014-15 season brought further success for Farrell. He secured the "man of the match" award in the Premiership Final, contributing a try and 13 points through kicking. Saracens emerged victorious with a final score of 28-16.
Continuing his strong performance, Farrell won the Fans' Player of the Season for Saracens in the following season. He played a pivotal role in the 2016 European Rugby Champions Cup Final, kicking all 21 points against Racing 92, leading Saracens to victory. This season also witnessed Saracens retaining the Premiership title with a 28-20 win over Exeter, in which Farrell kicked 13 points.
In 2017, Farrell achieved a significant milestone by becoming Saracens' all-time leading points scorer, surpassing Glen Jackson's record with a total of 1548 points. He was instrumental in Saracens' consecutive European Champions Cup victories, contributing crucial points in the final and earning the title of European Player of the Year.
Farrell's success continued in subsequent years. He secured his fourth Premiership title in 2018, and in 2019, he played a key role in Saracens' triumphs in both the European Champions Cup and the Premiership. Despite facing challenges, including injuries and a suspension, Farrell's influence remained strong.
He took on roles as both a player and a coach, demonstrating his commitment to the team's success. In 2021, he was appointed club captain of Saracens on a permanent basis, reflecting his leadership qualities and dedication. In the 2022-2023 season, Farrell demonstrated resilience by returning from an ankle injury to help Saracens secure a playoff spot.
His impact was recognized by teammates and coaches alike. Ultimately, he played a crucial role in Saracens' victory in the Premiership final, scoring points to secure their title once again.
What Happened to Owen Farrell? - FAQs
Owen Farrell was involved in a significant controversy during a match against Wales, where a high tackle led to a red card. The red card was later overturned due to a mitigating factor, sparking debates.
World Rugby decided to appeal the independent panel's decision, adding further complexity and uncertainty to Owen Farrell's situation as the Rugby World Cup approaches.
The decision sparked intense debates and discussions within the rugby community, with some questioning the panel's interpretation of events.
Owen Farrell is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for Saracens and captains the England national rugby team.
Owen Farrell held the record for being the youngest player to appear in English professional rugby union, making his debut for Saracens at 17 years old.