A remarkable intervention from the Rugby Football Union has cleared Steve Borthwick to pick the suspended Owen Farrell in his Six Nations squad on Monday without jeopardising his availability for England’s championship opener against Scotland.
With the uncertainty that Farrell’s ban would be updated to include the Scotland fixture on 4 February if selected, the RFU has written to Saracens to confirm he is available for a match that he cannot play in due to his suspension.
