18 August 2023 , 14:35
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Andy Farrell has hit out at the "disgusting circus" surrounding his son Owen's red card in a pre-World Cup match against Wales.
Farrell was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Taine Basham and the England captain was expected to miss the start of the World Cup as a result. An independent judicial committee (IJC) then decided to overturn the red card, clearing Farrell to play a full part in the tournament.
However, World Rugby then announced plans to appeal the IJC's decision following widespread surprise they had only deemed the incident worthy of a yellow card instead of a red. As a result of the controversy, England coach Steve Borthwick withdrew Farrell from the squad which faces Ireland this weekend.
"In my original planning for the Summer Nations Series and as part of our Rugby World Cup preparation, Owen Farrell was due to be selected to play," Borthwick explained. "However, in light of the fact that so much of Owen’s training and match preparation time this week has been significantly affected and interrupted by the disciplinary process, I have not selected him in the matchday 23.
"Owen will travel to Ireland with our full support. Owen understands the situation, but is of course disappointed, as I am, that he is missing such a special game that he would otherwise have played in."
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Dad Andy, who coaches Ireland, has now weighed in on the situation, branding it "absolutely disgusting and highlighting the "human side of the bulls*** that's happening". "Whatever I say is probably flawed anyway," he said.
"When you're talking about somebody's son and you're asking them the question, it's always going to be flawed, so what does that really matter? I don't normally say too much because of that type of reason about my son.
England captain Owen Farrell was sent off against Wales (Getty Images)"But what I probably would say, at this moment in time, is that the circus that (has) gone around all of this is absolutely disgusting, in my opinion, disgusting. And I suppose those people that have loved their time in the sun get a few more days to keep going at that."
When asked if he agreed with England defence coach Kevin Sinfield's assertion that Owen had been subjected to unfair criticism, Andy added: "What could I say? I don't know.
"I'd probably get his mother up here to do an interview with you and you'll see the human side of the bulls***t that's happening. Or maybe get his wife to write a book on it, because then you'll probably see the impact that it's having, not just on the professional player, but the families and the human side that goes with it."