I'm English, and a big fan of Farrell, and was disappointed it was rescinded. Carriers height barely changes, Farrells arm is tucked - which is a foul, so mitigation should not apply. Should be a red.

Can't believe Farrell's red was rescinded - the fact that Rugby continues to succeed in spite of World Rugby and the RFU is beyond me

The issue around Esterhuizen wasn't head contact Mike, it was a shoulder charge with no attempt to wrap...all we called for was a damn penalty...it was a penalty all day long and Angus Gardner crumbled in front of an English crowd.

The tackle on Esterhuizen was never a question of a head shot Tindall , it was a shoulder charge.

The red was rescinded so that the bugger could play in the world cup ... for no other reason !

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Dylan was a serial offender, Sexton had a clean record, Faz is also a serial offender, try to keep the context , the sad thing that all you have discussed is how to get Farrell off and nothing about the fact Basham failed a HIA and the tests he will miss and players safety in general

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This kind of decision drives youngest players away. It worries the parents! World Rugby needs to grow a pair and step in and appeal this decision. Farrell went to tackle school and at every point the tackle he initiated was wrong!

Good to have you back fellas 👍

It’s hard to quantify Gatland’s worth as his holistic experience is priceless. In terms of Farrell, I believe public opinion will force World Rugby to appeal the judgment with a view to maintaining the integrity of the laws of rugby and the importance of player welfare. This is now a much bigger issue.

Mike, The tackle on Esterhuizen was a red all day long. the red should have been for a shoulder charge (no wrap) not for the height of the tackle.

I see Farrell's great escape as an opportunity lost for England to change things up a bit.

I love how you smirk at the QC question and really struggle to call out your mates for this horrendous situation. How about we clarify that one of the judiciary members (David Croft) works for Sports and Entertainment Limited for sports management and guess who one of their clients are... Mike Tindall. Who'd have thought.

0:01 - Hello Dream Team 1:08 - The Farrell Red Card 8:50 - Unnecessary Pressure? 10:40 - Stories of the Vale 12:12 - British Airways Highflyer 14:09 - Warren Gatland joins us 19:28 - Changing of the old guard 22:23 - Reflecting on the strike 28:08 - A Young Wales 34:07 - Warm-Up Games 41:20 - Plotting Combos 47:54 - The Contact Area Law's 53:25 - Eddie Jones - Grenades 59:53 - Gats on Foxy

South Africans were embarrassed by Rassie ,even though he made some valid points about the officials, glad to see the English outraged by this rescinding of Owen Farrell.

The first player with a Farrell tackle in the RWC will be made an example of...just because of this ridiculous overturned red card...just watch!

The most comparable incident is PSDT vs France last year, red card and 3 week ban (mitigated down from 6 for a clean record) for a head clash. He was pushed into the tackle by Kwagga Smith. Not saying PSDT didn’t deserve what he got just that if this wasn’t a farce both incidents should have had the same outcome

There is no mitigation. He should be banned. Trying to do mental gymnastics to work out how to get Farrell into the world cup isn't how thw system works. Safety is priority!

Well done both, some good rugby discussion.

I think for me even without the George attempt at tackling Basham, Farrell at no point tried to lower his body position and make a legal tackle. He has history with his poor tackling at times, how much longer before one of his hits ends up causing a serious injury which results in the injured player having to leave the game.

The fact that you think it was the ball that made OF's tackle on Esterhuizen a problem reflects that you haven't watched it recently. In slow mo you can see his shoulder hits above the ball. In real speed it is an obvious 6 match ban. There is a lot of English people acknowledging the problem with this decision to rescind the red card, but gaslighting themselves with the odd caveat here or there. This was disgraceful show of either favouritism or incompetence. Maybe both. The law should stand flat, unerring and simple in its application with no world cups or otherwise being a factor. End of.

Watching live I said Farrell’s in trouble if they review that. Watching the replays on TV I thought possibly mitigation due to Jamie George’s impact on the situation. Since then I have watched numerous clips and now believe it should be a red. Farrell was never low enough to make the tackle and it was clear that he was going to go in to tackle. Yes, George did have an effect but Farrell never wrapped an arm, had his arm tucked and made straight contact with the head. I am an England fan and wanted it to be a yellow but when compared to many other red cards given think this decision is a joke.

All that talk of Farrell and his tackle, and then Jonathan "Fox" Davies batters that British Airways plug LOL

Tinds referenced tackle on Esterhuizen - that had nothing to do with head contact - it was a tackle without arms - illegal - full stop! Penalty at least.

The entire intro was how to get Farrell to the WC and how to manipulate the situation to keep everyone happy. The pressure on Faz! How about talking about player safety... the entire point of the law. Head injuries. Brain damage, etc!

Bang on boys....this decision is bonkers!

Tins on his own, what a delight.

"Right side of the draw" ... not so sure any more. Fiji and Samoa look terrifying!

The amazing thing is that one of v the guys who let off OF was the same guy who banned pSDT who was propelled into the French player by Kwagga Smith

Bare in mind Dylan 6:33 was a serial offender, he couldn't get any reductions because of his long history of Bans. Keep the context in place please.

I think the bunker actually made the case easier to dismiss.... If the referee on tv stands there and says why there's no mitigation on national TV then gives the red then there's zero chance they outright overule him.. the fact the decision comes without the public spectacle of it makes me think its easier to sweep under the rug

World Rugby must make this record straight and appeal the decision. Otherwise they're putting the whole RWC in jeopardy and possible arguments whenever "this" happens again. This is a childishly thought decision with apparently no alignment and consistency. Unbelievable and so utterly stupid and amator

Ben Earl has been really great for the last 3 or so years. Hope he gets loads more test time. Except against Scotland.

Think I’m looking forward to this season more than the World Cup haha!

Farrell should be sent off for any shoulder charge tackle, let alone one that hits the head. It's deliberate foul play, so a straight red.

as a kiwi im glad farrell got off, not sure why he was given a red card, but in the current climate this is what happens when a guy dips his head into your shoulder, its the tacklers fault, the law is an ass, justice was done from the 2 aussies

Honestly glad to see Faz get a chance to see play RWC.

They said the attempted tackled by Jamie changed the direction of the player, which then didn't allow Farrell time to adjust his height. They did not say that it changed the body height of the tackled player.

He’s right rugby does need idols. George north was mine. My family all love rugby and watch it, I wasn’t interested that much when I was a young lad and would watch every now and then. But when George started I remember thinking the guy was an absolute beast and since that day I’ve watched every game.

It’s an absolute joke. And hard to understand Sean Edwards who I have huge respect for normally. Farrell was never in a body position to make a safe tackle. Totally upright, legs straight, leading with shoulder and zero arm wrap. So happy my son has stopped playing now.

Love to here the booing when Farrell kicks in RWC. He is a disgrace .. epitomy of arrogance .. never seen him apologise after his crap ..never mind ducking the press conference

WTF not one venue in North Wales, thanks lads

Here's hoping Gatland sends a squads worth of croissants over to the Australians hotel the morning before their group game

🇮🇪 Irish fan. Like Owen but the fact that the other player got a HIA and failed shows its a red. It should have remained a red. Likewise sextons ban should have been longer. So the men on the ground get to make an informed decision and then the suits get to overturn it. The problem isn't exactly with Owen it's with the hierarchy.

How many other past red cards should/ could be rescinded on this call?

What got me more was the statement 'the official in the bunker hadn't enough time to make a decision', stupid. Mike T is correct, Sexton's ban was also wrong, should have been more.

Gatlands the most likeable coach

A bit of a stretch comparing Dylan Hartley's disciplinary record with that of Sexton's. Before he got banned for abusing the ref, ON THE PITCH IN A FINAL, he'd been done for eye gouging, biting and punching. Sexton has five yellow cards in 350 games, no reds. He didn't call Peyper a cheat, just fcking useless, and maybe ten people heard him.

Hes a serial offender. Dangerous tackle. A red all day. Why should he escape punishment just because of the world cup? He does not deserve to be there

The future of the game has been compromised as parents will be pushing children towards other sports, as the concern over the safety of the player appears superficial. World Rugby need to act.

I've never seen any South African complain about that tackle in 2018 as being high. It was a shoulder charge. It was a penalty and potentially a yellow for high degree of danger. Given where it was, and the time on the clock it would have changed the outcome of the game. The very next week he did the same thing against OZ, and should have been a penalty try and yellow card. He's a terrible tackler. Given his repeated offences, he's like Lavinini at this point. Guy needs a lengthy ban potentially spending the next 2-3 months learning how to tackle from a high-school coach again. The fact that he's gotten away with it for this long is a disgrace to the RFU, and his bans how should be in the terms of months, not weeks. And if he keeps it up.... years.

Rassie would say 'the chicken has come to 🐓 to roost'

Foxy's quads r enormous

Richard Smith is the only wizard here

Mitigation does not apply if the player is illegal - it is written into the process.

Davies and Tindall at theiir peak would have been a great Lions centre pairing....but peak Davies and Greenwood would have been better!

As grassroots rugby coach this kind of decision will kill the game 😤😤😤😤

its a shame Richard Smith doesn't play inside centre

If it was an independent review cant WR appeal and if so why havent they done it??? Makes a mockery of cards..

Help me here: Rassie was banned for months and out of the World Cup for not respecting the system but a proven England goon rugby player when tackling illegally causing concussion gets support from England selectors? Is there no prejudice here?

Is Ben Earl going be selected at number 8 and be the new Ardie Savea?

Gat's the myth the man and maybe soon the legend . Wales are lucky to have the world's best national coach £500k is nowhere near enough

Farrell's 100% rugby league

Guys I’m an English fan and I can say they definitely got it wrong .

RE: Hartley v Sexton bans... Hartley had 36 weeks of bans before his 11 week ban for ref abuse. Sexton had 0..... There's your difference Mike

Sexton got 6 weeks, reduced to 3 because this was a first offense. Also, the game was over and he wasn't even playing in that game. Not fair to compare that with Hartley. Farrell's record on tackling is hardly exemplary, so Sexton's case is not comparable.

I figure Farrell went to the Butch James tackle school

What message does recining the red card sends about how much World Rugby cares about player welfare. The player Farrell hit failed the HIA. That could come back to bit them in the World Cup.

The bans in general are too long, that's why it's worth bringing in KC's and leaving the laws in ruins as a result. Shorten the bans ...

I wish i could share the memes i’ve been getting. 😂😂 Just for clarity, nothing wrong with bunker system, something wrong with the disciplinary committee.

Farrell now more a liability than an asset. W Borewick in chrg, ENG’s got enough probs. Sooner chance it w jst Ford & Smith, But w SB, anything’s poss, not much of it good IMO.

The point is this has nothing to do with Faz. He has not made this decision but will cop the most for it which is not right. I agree this card should have stayed with a 3 week ban.

Dylan Hartley had previous, which is why he got a long ban.

Get Simon Jordan on!

The influence of the Aussi panel is self-protection and the protection of their own ignorant players & coaches.

It's red every day of the week. How do we know that? Farrell was previously banned for the same offence. He's a repeat offender, his ban should probably have been 6 weeks, but i think in the spirit of the game it could have been mitigated to 3 weeks, specially considering Jamie George interaction. However tbh, repeat offender, no attempt to go low, no attempt to wrap, tucking in right arm and leading with the shoulder, in all fairness of the game i'd say a several week ban is completely in order.

1st the ref had to judge foul play, not good enough next Assistant Refs were allowed to intervene, not good enough next the TMO were allowed to intervene, not good enough next Archie Bunker introduced , not good enough Whats next?

Past Fiji team u can squeeze. This Fiji team is deadly, Wales will lucky if they can squeeze fiji. I cannot wait.

England look decent with Fordie pulling the strings tbf, I was thinking a wee ban wasn’t the worst and England seem to switch on when they’re in the sh!t

I would like to see a compilation of Farrell tackling legally.

WR had nothing to do with this process - it ws under the authority of the 6N.

Feel like a bit of marketing! Create a controversial polarizing topic to have the news and pundits spit out building up to the world cup

Hartley had a disgraceful record sexton didn’t that’s why his punishment was lighter and sexton was after the game off microphone criticism of a ref not when the game was recording everything. Dylan Hartley and Johnny sexton are not the same thing.

Why would we rely on the monachy to be honest.

Absolutely atrocious. Sure hope the opening game against Argentina is a physical one for England...

The esterhuizen hit was still a yellow card minimum - and that why we as South Africans are filthy about that.

If he got off this, this is the standard for the World Cup surely?

There's one rule for England and other rules for the rest.

Zero honour in the player!! Be honourable and step down

RFU corruption

28:40 this is the penalty kick gats is talking about kzfaq.info/get/bejne/p9F9f91y3qq2eGw.html

No longer defending his 'just stands tall technique' like you were after his red card against Wasps Tindall? and blaming other people for "perceiving how he tackles as incorrect". He's done it in so many games now you just have to accept, he knows exactly what he's doing. Also, his shoulder went directly into the face, most of the impact did not go through the ball, his shoulder went directly to the head and his lower arm hit the ball, still talking sh#te.

1)- when parents now refuse to let their children play, because they see that the establishment will not prioritise player welfare,(RFU, IRFU, IndependentPanel,,, it matters not: parents will not differentiate!), parents will act to protect their children. Then the game suffers, and Owen Farrell is responsible. Own the result, own the consequences! 2) - Owen Farrell needs to own this as a cheat. He employed the Kings Council to advocate on his behalf and owns both the outcome AND the consequences! In its most perverse (money and privilege) he has engineered an outcome that is based NOT on the game we watch, but the GAME of Lawyers and Barristers. The moral thing for FARRELL to do, plead guilty, take your punishment ask for mitigation! Like Sarries (refuse to open their books) cheats, cheats, cheats! - for me - Owen Farrell unless YOU speak up and ask for it to be reviewed as a wrong decision, you are now a cheat! Pure and simple! Owen Farrell the cheat. And it matters not, that you climb out of the gutter! The shit is still on your shoes! And there we were thinking we were ADVANCING the game with TMO's, man in the bunker, 10 mins to make the final decision, etc etc. I've never heard such Bolshy Ollox as came from the independent panel - stating there was no criticism of the TMO. Read the book MIXED SIGNALS and understand how fcuked up this decision was! Mixed signals - ask the TMO (when he retires), if he thinks its not a criticism! So going forward, where does this leave safety in the game? Shocking! Dealing with peoples lives, the dangers of impacts, and the SYSTEMS protecting them has GOT TO BE outside of the influence of the narrow views of selfish players and their game playing overpaid upper-class Barristers! I speak as I find, and do my own analysis! Farrell - you're a CHEAT! Own it! Leaves a nasty taste in your mouth!

I honestly only see you guys talking in circles. No player should ever be exempt from their misadventures on the paddock no matter the season or any competition ahead. As a dyed in wool Kiwi, I would not want any player given a lesser sentence at any time. Inconsistency in due punishment of players, regardless of an approaching competition, is indefensible.

The "independent" review board are as independent as my arms are from my body. A clearer example of a corrupt system has never been so clearly demonstrated. The "another tackler caused a sudden and significant change" defence is bullshit. You only have to look back at Leitchs ban to see it. He got a 3 game ban AND the other tackling player actually affected the tackle situation. Disgraceful.

What a disgrace. Nepotism at its finest. Farrell should have been given 6 weeks. Absolutely disgusting. Shame on Englands rugby board.

Some interesting pojnts made, but for the greater good of the game a maximum ban has to be applied. How the Pacific Island players can get a fair look at their strong tackling now I don’t know. No team or player is above the game or world cup. If Farrell is one of the best players in the world then he should’ve been able to adapt by now. It’s rugby unoin not rugby league. It’s all about the hips people 🏉🌹

Farrell gets the Butch James Tackling Award! Rugby Authorities have really really screwed up. Why people are turning off. Officiating is inconsistent, TMO & now the review is FaRKEd. How people for the same offence get different judgements. If I was a sponsored I would be concerned. As a player lower down I'd be concerned. If I was an offical at any level I'd be concerned, If I was a pro player I'd be concerned!