FARRELL CAN STILL HELP TACKLE IRISH
Banned ace will join brains trust
SARACENS are resigned to Owen Farrell being suspended for their make- or- break European Champions Cup quarter- final against Leinster.
The England captain will face an RFU disciplinary hearing tonight following Saturday’s sending- off for a dangerous tackle on Wasps teenager Charlie Atkinson.
If Farrell is banned for three matches or more, he will miss the clash at the Aviva Stadium on September 19.
“We can safely assume Owen won’t be available for that game and we will plan as such,” said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall. “Owen got a tackle wrong, got a red card and there are no complaints.
“You could see from his reaction as soon as it happened that he knew he got it wrong and he is incredibly regretful. You could see instantly on his face how he felt.
“He stood on the touchline and waited for Charlie to get up and come off and he was really concerned for him.”
Saracens’ hope is that Farrell could be free to play in the semi- final a fortnight later if they can eliminate a Leinster side that have yet to lose this season.
To that end, McCall will be using him in a coaching capacity instead.
“He will definitely be involved in helping us prepare for the game in terms of using his intellect and his rugby brain,” said McCall.
As for who replaces Farrell at standoff, it is a straight choice between 32- year- old Alex Goode and Manu Vunipola, 20.
Outside them, Saracens’ midfield options could expand if Scotland international Duncan Taylor comes safely through his first game since shoulder surgery at Sale tomorrow night.
“We were excited to see Owen, Elliot Daly and Goodey together in the same backline but that’s not going to be possible,” said McCall.
“So we need to figure out what our midfield will look like and how Duncan does on Wednesday night will be important.”
Farrell has sailed close to the wind before with his tackling but McCall has felt no need to address him directly over it since the incident.
“I haven’t spoken to him post- match about his tackle technique, no,” added McCall, who also confirmed that England prop Mako Vunipola is a doubt for European action with a “lingering” back problem. “This is his first red in 201 games for us, and 80- odd games for England and the Lions, so that speaks of a pretty good disciplinary record up to this point.”