With only a few months remaining in the domestic season, Owen Farrell is drawing ever nearer to the end of his time in English rugby.
The 32-year old has been synonymous with Saracens and England for over a decade, although his time with both teams is now drawing to a close. The out-half has agreed to join French club Racing 92 at the end of his contract this summer, something that will also rule him out of international contention.
Farrell is a player that has caused quite a bit of controversy down through the years. Many felt he received quite a bit of favouritism at times, especially when you consider his physical approach to the game.
In saying that, he was on the receiving end of a bizarre decision from the rugby officials during a Gallagher Premiership game yesterday.
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Rugby: TMO has odd logic for ignoring Owen Farrell incident
Saracens secured a convincing 52-7 victory over Harlequins yesterday, with the home side playing all the rugby en route to what turned out to be an absolute thumping.
However, they seemed to be very harshly treated by the officials during one bizarre incident late in the game.
Owen Farrell was clearly upset when Harlequins player Stephan Lewies produced a questionable hit at the ruck, appearing to slide with his knees into the Saracens man.
Appearing on TNT Sports, commentator Austin Healy had this to say at the time:
Owen Farrell being upset and it's worth another look. Lewies comes in with his knees into the ruck. I think it's worth another look.
I think six slides into the ruck really late with both of his knees. Where he hits Farrell could be really interesting.
It looked like an incident that could be worth reviewing for the TMO.
However, incredibly they could be heard on the ref mic saying that they were not going to review the footage due to the fact that the suggestion to do so came from the television broadcast.
You can hear the remarkable exchange below.
OK, I’ve found the footage. You can clearly hear an exchange that was DEFINITELY not intended to be heard by the @rugbyontnt viewers. pic.twitter.com/R2g4aoYsnJ
— Tom Finn-Kelcey (@TFinnKelcey) March 23, 2024
The problem we’ve got now of course is that it looks like Healey’s instigated it.
The problem I’ve got now is that it looks like Austin’s instigated it because we're late, so I don't want to talk about it, OK?
This was an utterly bizarre incident, one in which an official seemed to ignore a potential infringement on the rugby pitch in order to avoid looking like they were pandering to pressure from the television broadcast.
It certainly was not a great look, even if it had no impact on the ultimate outcome of the game.
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