England captain Owen Farrell received a straight red card on Saturday for a high tackle against Wasps.
The Saracens star went for a big blindside hit on Charlie Atkinson but instead he essentially forearmed the full back around the head.
If only Owen Farrell had someone to coach him how to tackle when he was growing up. pic.twitter.com/bxGKhHXIcD
— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) September 5, 2020
Farrell acknowledged his mistake straight away as Atkinson lay motionless on the ground and fans and players are upset with the England star’s challenge.
Wasps playmaker Lima Sopoaga expressed his anger at the tackle while former England fly half Andy Goode said it was only a matter of time before Farrell was caught out.
Absolute dog shot.
— Lima Sopoaga (@LimaSopoaga) September 5, 2020
Wasps went on to win the game 18-28 at Allianz Park and Farrell could see a lengthly ban for this mistake.
“It’s a really bad one… I can’t defend that.”
Owen Farrell was shown a red card against Wasps for this tackle on Charlie Atkinson…
Lawrence Dallaglio considers the implications for Saracens AND England. pic.twitter.com/xZuOfEZK9E
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) September 5, 2020
This isn’t the first time Farrell’s tackle technique has come under the spotlight, here are some of his biggest and most controversial tackles to date:
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