Farrell escape over tunnel bust-up
OWEN FARRELL avoided punishment yesterday for his part in the tunnel clash at Murrayfield, with Six Nations Rugby confirming no action will be taken against the England centre. However, championship authorities will write to the RFU and Scottish Rugby Union to emphasise the need for players to uphold the tournament’s reputation. They will do so after a swift investigation into events before Saturday’s match in Edinburgh. It was decided there had been ‘pushing and shoving’ but ‘no clear evidence of violent conduct’. As the teams left the field following their warm-ups, tempers flared. Farrell was thought to have been involved and footage emerged showing a clash with Scotland No 8 Ryan Wilson. Farrell appeared to come to the aid of George Ford, who Wilson allegedly targeted with aggressive verbal abuse. Video evidence showed flailing arms, hence the common-sense verdict. England head coach Eddie Jones has spoken to Farrell about the bust-up and said. ‘It is obviously the correct decision. That’s the end of the matter, it’s done and dusted.’ Meanwhile, Scotland’s Wilson has been cleared of making contact with the eye area of England’s Nathan Hughes during his team’s Calcutta Cup triumph. A citing for alleged foul play was dismissed at a disciplinary hearing in London.