Tonight’s rugby news as England legend slams ‘sickening’ Owen Farrell abuse after shock news
England legend slams ‘sickening’ Owen Farrell abuse
England legend Lawrence Dallaglio has hit out at the “sickening” abuse aimed at Owen Farrell.
Rugby was taken aback on Wednesday afternoon when Farrell declared he will not be playing for his country in the 2024 Six Nations, opting instead to retire from international rugby for the time being. The choice was made to “prioritize his and his family’s mental well-being.”
After several on-field confrontations and disciplinary difficulties over the previous couple of years, Farrell has been the target of intense social media vitriol. Like no other, his England performances have also been closely examined. Dallaglio stated on X after hearing the news, “I’ve said it many times, Owen Farrell is our captain and possibly the greatest player to have ever played for England.” He endures horrible levels of abuse.”
Player welfare group Progressive Rugby added: “The warning was there. Andy Farrell was explicit that the
Before the Rugby World Cup 2023, Owen Farrell was the target of personal assaults that had a significant effect “not just on the professional player, but the families and the human side that goes with it.”
“Referee and player abuse has to stop.”
“Owen Farrell has decided to take a break from international rugby in order to prioritise his and his family’s mental well-being,” said a statement from his club, Saracens.
This implies that he won’t be eligible to be chosen for the Six Nations in 2024. He will stay a Saracens player and captain of the team. Everyone at the club will continue to fully back Owen.
Dragons capitulation was unacceptable
Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan says he cannot accept what unfolded in the second half of his team’s 69-14 drubbing against the Sharks last weekend.
Some fans and analyst Sean Holley accused the Welsh area of “laying down” after the historic URC defeat. Flanagan acknowledges that his team’s performance in the second half, which saw them surrender 49 points, was inadequate. They are aware that things need to go better before they play the Lions this weekend.
“We had to reorganize much earlier and tear up the schedule that was set for this week,” acknowledged Flanagan.
“It was difficult for me, the players, the supporters, and everyone connected to the club to endure the last 20 minutes (against the Sharks), so we wanted to be careful not to suddenly declare that we’re going to improve. We find that unacceptable.
We start games that have a theme. Although you can’t provide every player every option, you may establish a theme for what they must accomplish in order to participate in the game.
After 40 or 50 minutes, we didn’t see anything close to that concept.
Not providing sharks with food was a major one. We fed them, and the final 20 minutes of the game demonstrate how we continued to provide them with opportunities.
“We must defend ourselves; we cannot afford to give blindly, as the costs accumulate.” We can’t allow it to occur as we are here to represent everyone connected to us.
Club desperate to keep England star
According to Phil Dowson, director of rugby at Northampton, the Saints are “desperate” to retain captain Lewis Ludlam with the team.
Ludlam, a part of the World Cup squad, has been strongly connected to leaving England to play overseas.
Toulon, a Top 14 team, is reportedly paying close attention to Ludlam, who is presently out due to injury.
old Harlequins center Joe Marchant has joined Stade Francais, Toulouse’s Jack Willis is at Toulouse, while Henry Arundell transferred to Racing 92 following the World Cup. Ludlam’s old Saints teammate David Ribbans is already with Toulon.
Players who practice their trade outside of England are not eligible for selection for the national team under current Rugby Football Union regulations.