England are this afternoon expected to leave Owen Farrell out of their starting line-up for Saturday’s Test against Ireland in Dublin.
The England captain is currently free to play, but World Rugby are considering an appeal against the rescinding of his red card in last Saturday’s 19-17 win over Wales at Twickenham.
An independent disciplinary committee on Tuesday downgraded Farrell’s red card for a high tackle on Taine Basham to a yellow, clearing the 31-year-old for an immediate return to action.
World Rugby could yet appeal the Six Nations-managed independent disciplinary decision, however, in what would prove a rare but by no means unprecedented step. An appeal could throw Farrell’s availability this weekend into doubt and resurrect the spectre of a World Cup ban for England’s skipper.
Head coach Steve Borthwick has been begrudgingly minded, therefore, to leave Farrell out of England’s starting XV to take on Ireland.
Saracens fly-half Farrell missed Tuesday’s crucial morning training with England, locked in the virtual disciplinary hearing with the three-strong Australian panel.
Deputy No10 George Ford took over and is primed to lead England’s line from the off against Andy Farrell’s Irish.
Borthwick prizes preparation and prudence above almost all else, and while the Red Rose coach would want Farrell on the field in Dublin in most circumstances, this represents an exception worthy of proving the rule.
Ford appears a man with a new zest for Test rugby, having recovered from a debilitating Achilles injury to pilot Sale’s run to last season’s Gallagher Premiership Final.
The 30-year-old is regarded as an auxiliary backs coach by the England set-up, to the point where he filmed an online tutorial on how to execute his trademark spiral bomb for the RFU’s social media channels.
Defence coach Kevin Sinfield insisted England can only be buoyed by their potency at fly-half, with Ford and Marcus Smith backing up Farrell.
“We are really fortunate that we have got three wonderful 10s with us,” said Sinfield.
“I have spent a bit more time with George than the other two, having coached him at Leicester. He is just an unbelievable game manager, a great kicker of the ball, has feel and game understanding, because of his experience and time in the game.”
Ford can be characterised as a genuine touch player, in football parlance, and the 30-year-old dragged England to victory with composure and immediate backline direction off the bench against Wales.
Manu Tuilagi will feature in the centres should the Sale powerhouse come through the final elements of England training today.
The Samoa-born wrecking-ball has been carrying a niggle in camp that England were nervous to specify, but trained fully in the first part of this week.
Anthony Watson is expected to start on the wing, as England bid to select a powerful line-up to take on the Six Nations Grand Slam champions.
Watson is between clubs after his Leicester deal expired, with a mooted move to Saracens falling by the wayside after the north Londoners opted to pick up Lucio Cinti when London Irish went bust. The former Bath flier could easily return to Leicester after the World Cup, due to Tigers salary cap constraints, but for now has his salary being covered by the RFU.
“Anthony just seems to be able to get on with whatever difficulties have happened to him,” said Sinfield. “He’s had a couple of bad injuries but always seems to find a way to get back to his best.”
