Campese takes issue with Danny Cipriani tweet about Owen Farrell

Legendary Wallabies winger David Campese has taken issue with a tweet from Danny Cipriani, the ex-England international, in support of the red-carded Owen Farrell. Current England skipper Farrell was red-carded in last Saturday’s Summer Nations Series clash with Wales at Twickenham and his sending-off has since been hotly debated on social media.

Cipriani weighed in on the controversy when he tweeted: “Good morning. It is clear that Owen’s tackle is a red card. I do not understand the emotional intensity behind the reaction to it. He doesn’t set out to hit people high. So critique the technique or poor timing, but why does rugby/sport always turn personal?”

This message prompted a reply from Campese, which read: “Hi mate. Because he does it over and over again. You must learn in life. Simple.”

Farrell, who was initially only yellow carded before having his shoulder-to-head tackle on Taine Basham upgraded to red via the TMO bunker, is facing a video conference disciplinary hearing on Tuesday where his case will be heard by Adam Casselden (chair, Australia) and former Wallabies duo John Langford and David Croft.

Having received a four-match ban only last January for a similar offence that had a six-week sanction entry point before mitigation was applied (this suspension was ultimately cut to three with Farrell completing the World Rugby coaching intervention programme), the potential exists for Steve Borthwick’s skipper to now receive a six-match ban with no mitigation.

That would sideline him from England’s remaining two Summer Nations Series games versus Ireland and Fiji and also make him unavailable for his country’s entire four-game pool campaign against Argentina, Japan, Chile and Samoa.

A heavy price has already been paid for England’s win last Saturday as the ankle injury picked up by Jack van Poortvliet resulted in him giving up his place in the World Cup squad to Alex Mitchell, the scrum-half jettisoned by Borthwick at the end of June.