‘Farrell missed four kicks so why didn’t he go off for head tests?’

OWEN FARRELL dismissed concern for his wellbeing after he was the victim of a dangerous tackle to the head in England’s bruising win over Argentina.

The match turned when lock Tomas Lavanini became the fifth player to be sent off at Japan 2019 after he caught Farrell on the jaw with his shoulder in the 18th minute.

Farrell insisted he was OK to play on rather than go through the concussion protocol — though the Saracens star then uncharacteristically missed four first-half kicks at goal.

Nine days earlier Farrell was the victim of a similar challenge by the USA’s John Quill, who was also sent off. And like last week, Farrell was treated by a medic on the pitch with alarm raised that he was not sent for a head injury assessment (HIA).

Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio, speaking on ITV, said: ‘I’m surprised Farrell didn’t go off for an HIA. He had four kicks at goal afterwards and missed all of them.’

The current England skipper, however, was adamant he had been fine to carry on. ‘It’s obviously concussion that’s the worry but I didn’t get hit anywhere near the top of the head,’ he said. ‘Maybe your jaw gets a bit sore but I was fine and there was no need for a HIA.’

Sir Clive Woodward, meanwhile, was more concerned that referee Nigel Owens initially missed the red-card offence before the TMO advised him to have a look. Woodward said: ‘It was a red card and a very simple decision but why didn’t Owens see it in the first place?’