The implications of the Farrell ban decision on the Rugby World Cup

Have England’s Rugby World Cup dreams turned into a nightmare?

Owen Farrell’s red card against Wales for a high tackle means he will miss out on England’s first two games in Pool D against Argentina and Japan, and it could be crucial to their chances of progression.

This isn’t the only upset that cards could cause at the Rugby World Cup this year though. Could the winner be decided by tries or by cards? Only time will tell for sure, but the implications of this red card to England and beyond are worth considering.

An Upset Is on the Cards

The Owen Farrell ban decision has far-reaching implications for the upcoming Rugby World Cup. Not only does it put England on the back foot when they kick off their first game in France on the 9th of September, but it is also food for thought for all the other teams and players. Cards are becoming a deciding factor in more games, and some key players could face bans throughout the tournament that could have a huge effect on the outcome.

With the recent controversies surrounding red and yellow cards resulting in a lot of inconsistent decisions being made, it would not be crazy to think that the Rugby World Cup could be decided by a card rather than the players. While most betting sites offer different types of betting, such as first try scorer and winning margin bets, punters may get better odds on which team will get the most cards in the tournament!

This will be a key market to keep an eye on for bettors and non-betting fans. The players need to keep an eye out too, as all it takes is a miss-timed or miss-judged tackle and their World Cup dreams could come crashing down around them with a four-match ban.

Grey Skies Over England

For the England Rugby team, the implications are much more apparent. Owen Farrell is more than a powerful fly-half, he’s the captain. They will be missing more than a player on the pitch for their first games of the tournament; they will be missing leadership and tactical acumen. The ‘brain drain’ may affect them the most, as he can be replaced physically from the deep ranks of the squad but perhaps not mentally.

This could be the most crucial factor from his two-game World Cup ban. When they kick off their first game against Argentina it will be an intimidating affair, with all eyes in world rugby on the team that trots out. This pressure is normally eased by the captain, helping players keep their heads focused and their eyes on the ball. Without Farrell in the side and injuries to key players such as Anthony Watson, England are vulnerable and the other teams in their pool know it.

If they flounder without their captain on the pitch, and drop points to both Argentina and Japan, then England’s Rugby World Cup 2023 could be over before Farrell has played a minute on the pitch, with the final two pool games against Chile and Samoa being processional affairs with Argentina and Japan topping the pool and out of reach.

More Cards, More Problems

It is not just the Farrell ban that is a cause for concern for the English rugby faithful. Billy Vunipola will also be absent for the game against Argentina. The only specialist number 8 in the squad is a key player for England, and with him and Farrell absent, they are a much weaker side. Argentina will be feeling confident of a win, and that will give them some momentum to take into their next games. If the Argentine side racks up some points from their first two games, first place in the pool will be out of reach for the other sides in Pool D.

The effect of these bans on the rest of the squad is yet to be seen, though early reports suggest that England are taking a close look at their tackling techniques to try and avoid any more cards and subsequent bans. There is a good chance this could have the opposite effect they are looking for, with players a little too cautious and mindful of the implications one more bad tackle could have on the side. If they play a less physical game against a side like Argentina, they are likely to finish the game as the losing side.

What is in store for rugby fans at this year's World Cup? Quite possibly, a lot of cards that could decide the outcome of games, pools, and the tournament itself. The action in this year’s tournament will not only be happening on the grass but in the match official’s pocket too. Expect some upsets.