Owen Farrell has been left “disappointed” to miss England’s Test clash against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
Head coach Steve Borthwick has omitted captain Farrell from his match 23 to face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, with George Ford starting at fly-half and Marcus Smith on the bench.
The England boss explained that Farrell had missed too much of the week’s preparations due to his disciplinary wrangles.
Farrell was sent off for a high tackle on Taine Basham in England’s 19-17 win over Wales on Saturday, but was later cleared in an independent disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.
World Rugby has now opted to appeal that decision from a three-strong Australian panel, an independent group but convened by the Six Nations. The appeal leaves Farrell once again fretting over a potential Rugby World Cup suspension.
The 31-year-old is technically available to feature this weekend, but England have opted for the prudent approach of standing down their skipper.
“In my original planning for the Summer Nations Series and as part of our Rugby World Cup preparation, Owen Farrell was due to be selected to play in this Saturday’s Test match in Dublin,” said Borthwick.
“However, in light of the fact that so much of Owen’s training and match preparation time this week has been significantly affected and interrupted by the disciplinary process, I have not selected him in the matchday 23. Owen will travel to Ireland with our full support.
“Owen understands the situation, but is of course disappointed, as I am, that he is missing such a special game that he would otherwise have played in.”
Courtney Lawes will captain England from blindside flanker, in a line-up showing six changes from the win over Wales last weekend. Anthony Watson slots in on the right wing, with Manu Tuilagi making a welcome start at inside centre.
Ford partners his former Leicester team-mate Ben Youngs in the half-backs, while Ellis Genge starts at loosehead prop. David Ribbans partners Maro Itoje at lock, while Ben Earl starts at openside flanker, with Lawes and Billy Vunipola starting again.
“It is a great challenge against the number one ranked team in the world and we are all excited for this fixture,” said Borthwick.
“The game will be excellent preparation for us ahead of the Rugby World Cup.”
England will start their World Cup campaign by taking on Argentina in Marseille on Saturday, September 9.
Captain Farrell had found himself in the clear from disciplinary troubles on Tuesday, but that has proved short-lived. The 108-cap playmaker must now wait to find out when World Rugby will convene their appeal on his rescinded red card. Any suspension now would likely see Farrell miss a number of World Cup matches.
His absence from the match squad this weekend, however, means that England would be justified in asking for this Ireland game to count as one of his matches in any suspension.
England team to face Ireland: F Steward; A Watson, J Marchant, M Tuilagi, E Daly; G Ford, B Youngs; E Genge, J George, W Stuart; M Itoje, D Ribbans; C Lawes (capt), B Earl, B Vunipola. Replacements: T Dan, J Marler, K Sinckler, O Chessum, J Willis, D Care, M Smith, O Lawrence.
