Steve Borthwick has lashed out at World Rugby’s decision to put Owen Farrell in the disciplinary dock again, leaving his captain sweating on a ban that would stop him from leading England into the World Cup. Borthwick also took aim at the “personal attacks” against Farrell, echoing Owen’s father and Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, who hit out at the “disgusting circus” surrounding his son on another extraordinary day in the saga over the fly-half’s red card.
Borthwick expressed his frustrations after World Rugby on Thursday appealed against the decision by an independent panel to rescind the red card Farrell received last weekend as well as at what he perceives is a witch-hunt against his captain. The upshot is that England, for the second time this week, are facing the prospect of losing Farrell for the start of the World Cup, with another disciplinary hearing set for early next week.
