Owen Farrell free to play in England’s Six Nations opener with four-match ban to be reduced to three weeks | Rugby Union News

England begin the Six Nations under new head coach Steve Borthwick against Scotland at Twickenham on February 4, before hosting Italy at Twickenham eight days later; Five Six Nations Tests are England’s last competitive games before the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France in September

Owen Farrell can play for England in their Six Nations opener against Scotland on February 4

Owen Farrell will be available for England’s Six Nations opener against Scotland on February 4 with his four-match ban for a high tackle set to be reduced to three weeks.

Farrell made contact with the head of Gloucester replacement Jack Clement in the 75th minute of the Premiership clash at Kingsholm on Friday, which Saracens won 19-16 thanks to Farrell’s last-minute drop-goal.

The 31-year-old was handed a four-match ban on Wednesday but that will be reduced to a three-week suspension if he completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, said a Rugby Football Union statement.

The Test at home to Scotland on Saturday February 4 will be the first in charge for new England head coach Steve Borthwick, who has succeeded the sacked Eddie Jones in the role.

Farrell – who accepted foul play but challenged that it met the red-card threshold – will miss Saracens’ matches against Lyon (January 14) and Edinburgh (January 21) in the European Cup as well as the Premiership meeting with Bristol on January 28.

Farrell’s ban will be reduced from four matches to three weeks if he completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme

Farrell sanctioned for high tackle for third time

The punishment marks the third time Farrell has been punished for a high tackle.

He was banned for five weeks for a tackle on Wasps player Charlie Atkinson in 2020, with that sanction reduced from 10 weeks on account of off-field mitigating factors.

Back in 2016, Farrell was suspended for two weeks for an illegal challenge on Wasps’ Dan Robson during a European Cup semi-final.

Borthwick leads England in the wake of Jones’ sacking, after England suffered three defeats from five games in each of their last two Six Nations campaigns, leaving them far from title contention.

In 2023, England begin by hosting Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday February 4, before welcoming Italy to the home of English Rugby on Sunday February 12.

They then travel to face Wales in Cardiff in Round 3 on Saturday February 25, host France in Round 4 on Saturday March 11, and finish by facing Ireland in Dublin on Saturday March 18.