It is unclear if anyone ever bothered to keep count of the number of times the former cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan was no-balled because of his hotly-debated bowling action.
Probably a few more times than Owen Farrell has been at the centre of controversy over his tackle technique on a rugby field. But, still, give the England rugby captain time.
Farrell was at it again on Saturday when playing for Saracens against Bristol Bears in the Gallagher Premiership. Returning to action after four months out with an injury, the fly-half was widely deemed fortunate not to receive a yellow card after a no-arms hit on opposition centre Piers O’Conor.
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Farrell failed to wrap his arms as he drove into O’Conor with a shoulder. Referee Christophe Ridley decided the hit merited a penalty and no more, with Billy Vunipola’s hit on O’Conor a split-second earlier meaning the No. 13 was heading downwards a tad before he encountered Farrell. On another day, a visit to the sin bin could have resulted, though.
Up in the BT Sport commentary box, Lawrence Dallaglio said: "I love Owen Farrell to bits, but you have to wrap your right arm. That could easily have been a yellow card. He’s been out of the game for four months — you have to cut him a bit of slack. You can mistime things very easily. But is that the correct decision? The answer is ‘no, I don’t think it is’. I think they’ve got away with one there."
Others expressed their views more forcefully. On social media, BristolLive’s John Evely posted: "Owen Farrell looked sharp today, some lovely passing and brilliant kicking off the tee but his tackle technique continues to be appalling. Probably should have been yellow-carded today. In the modern game he is a risk to his side because of it."
Another said: "'Sir Owen Farrell' gets away with one again…yellow at least". Another poster described it as an "absolute disgrace" that Farrell was able to continue on the field.
Previous tackles from Andy Farrell's son which have attracted attention include a no-arms job on South Africa’s Andre Esterhuizen in 2018, while he used his shoulder to hit Australia’s Matt Giteau without the ball at the 2015 World Cup. There was also a high tackle which left Wasps’ Charlie Atkinson concussed, with Farrell receiving a red card and a suspension for his troubles on that occasion.
His latest effort didn't land him in anywhere near as much trouble. But it seems reasonable to say we can still call his tackle technique a work in progress. At the very least.
