Time running out for Owen Farrell to fix ‘costly’ technique : PlanetRugby

Wales head coach Warren Gatland believes that Owen Farrell is “facing a crossroads in his career” and needs to fix his tackle technique following the England captain’s red card on Saturday.

Gatland, who selected Farrell on three British and Irish Lions tours, says that the fly-half’s tackling could prove costly for England and that time is running out for him to rectify it.

“I have always loved his aggression”

“Owen Farrell is facing a crossroads in his career. It feels like time is running out for him to fix his tackle technique because it could end up being really costly for him and for England,” Gatland wrote in his latest comment column for the Telegraph.

“He has always been a good defender… and I have always loved his aggression. But with Owen the issue has always been about the height of his tackling.

“He has had a few instances now when he has tried to be dominant and win the collision by being aggressive but got it badly wrong which has led to bans.”

Gatland adds that Farrell goes too upright into contact and, after reviewing the tackle on Taine Basham, which led to his red card at Twickenham, that he has no doubt that it was the correct decision.

Unless Farrell makes adjustments in his technique, Gatland thinks that the skipper will “continue to put himself at risk of conceding penalties or cards – and hurting opponents”.

A ‘lenient’ sanction for Farrell?

The 31-year-old fly-half faces a disciplinary committee to decide the fate of his suspension, which could see him miss some of England’s Rugby World Cup pool stage matches.

“It will be interesting to see what sanction the disciplinary hearing decides upon on Tuesday,” Gatland added.

“The one thing in his favour is that the last couple of disciplinary outcomes appear to have been on the lenient side. It is almost as if they want players involved at the World Cup, when you consider the sanctions handed out to Johnny Sexton and Zander Fagerson.

“If the precedent is for lighter sanctions, then there is hope for Owen, who might be entitled to consider himself hard done by if he gets a long ban. Richard Smith, England’s legal counsel, will have a big job to do this week. The tricky issue is that he has previous sanctions for dangerous tackling.”

Dan Biggar’s spat

Meanwhile, Gatland also revealed that the tackle caused “a bit of anger within” the Wales playing group and that he was not happy with the reaction of experienced fly-half Dan Biggar who caused a spat with Farrell.

Gatland wrote: “Dan Biggar’s reaction in confronting Owen after the tackle disappointed me. Dan is one of our most experienced players and in that moment, you wanted him to be calm and relaxed. I know he said to the players that if we kept our discipline and not give away any penalties, we would win the game.

“Dan is such a competitor which is what drives him and what has made him such an important player for Wales over the years. But engaging and…