Rugby columnist Ollie Phillips writes this week on the news that England Test captain Owen Farrell is walking away from international rugby for the Six Nations to manage his and his family’s well-being.
How bad must celebrity abuse grow before significant, severe, and effective action is done against primarily anonymous accounts that post depraved content from their faceless profiles?
Because it is incredibly terrible that England rugby captain Owen Farrell announced this week that he will be taking a hiatus from playing for his country to prioritize his and his family’s mental health.
One of England’s best players, the Saracens No. 10 is among the best fly-halves in the game right now.
Farrell will be back
Since he has been playing at such a high caliber for so long, any decline in his performance is met with derision akin to vultures attacking a carcass.
Although some of the behavior he has endured from so-called fans is disgusting, it is indicative of the culture in which we currently reside.
I do support free expression, but these platforms need to set up a mechanism that allows abuse to be reported, quickly deleted, and results in bans for offenders.
As retired referee Wayne Barnes has stated since the World Cup, a lot of athletes and sportspeople are able to handle the pressure of competing professionally.
I do support free expression, but these platforms need to set up a mechanism that allows abuse to be reported, quickly deleted, and results in bans for offenders.
As retired referee Wayne Barnes has stated since the World Cup, a lot of athletes and sportspeople are able to handle the pressure of competing professionally.
Despite how incorrect that is, a lot of players understand that they will experience it and that it is a necessary part of working in the profession. However, there will inevitably be a rubber band that breaks when the violence affects spouses, kids, and other loved ones.
Societal changes needed
I respect what Farrell is doing. Sport is a demanding place and he’s good enough to walk right back in when he is ready to do so. This is not the end for the No10, unless he decides down the line that it in fact is.
This decision does, however, pose questions for Borthwick. He will now be without his captain for the Six Nations next year while his former vice-captain Courtney Lawes has retired. Fancied choice Lewis Ludlam is expected to
There are concerns about Ellis Genge, the second vice captain, keeping his shirt when they travel across the Channel to the Top14.
The first significant test of the four-year World Cup cycle will be how the England manager handles this time without Farrell.
It does present a chance to test out fresh lineup combinations at center and fly-half as well as a chance to evaluate possible long-term captains.
For England to win more than two matches in a Six Nations season, you have to go back to 2020, when they won four of their five games. Borthwick will be looking to surpass that meager total next year.
Not welcome
When you include a summer tour of New Zealand and a few significant fall fixtures, Borthwick’s first post-World Cup year becomes a significant challenge.
However, all of that is meaningless in the end. Due to so-called fans, rugby, which is plagued by numerous problems, has lost a fantastic player from the international arena.
However, I contend that people who mistreat athletes aren’t fans; they shouldn’t be referred to as such, and they have no place in the game. They’re not invited.
Ollie Phillips, a former captain of the England Sevens, recently completed a fundraising swim across the English Channel for Head for Change, a nonprofit organization that works to improve mental health in sports. To donate, follow Ollie on Twitter.
