Twitter concerned as Farrell misses four kicks following heavy blow to head

Argentina’s mission against England became extremely difficult when the Pumas lost lock Tomas Lavanini to an early red card for a dangerous tackle on Owen Farrell.

Yet while the red card obviously hampered 14-man Argentina, some felt England also paid a heavy price.

Farrell came in for criticism after an uncharacteristically quiet performance, where he missed four half half kicks, three of which came after shaking off that Lavanini tackle.

Yet social media felt Farrell shouldn’t have even stayed on the pitch, which people questioning why the player wasn’t withdrawn for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) after taking such a heavy blow to the head.

There is no indication that the player was concussed following the Lavanini tackle, but the fact that he wasn’t checked for concussion left some viewers concerned.

Here’s the incident. pic.twitter.com/7gmzbkoywO

— Fox Rugby (@FOXRUGBY) October 5, 2019

It was the first time that Farrell missed four kicks in a first half since September 2012.

While his poor kicking may have just been coincidence, the fact that Farrell did not have a HIA opened the door for people to question why he wasn’t checked for concussion, raising concerns over player welfare.

Farrell played the full 80 minutes and kicked three conversions and one penalty in the second half.

Here’s how Twitter reacted.

I'd take Farrell off to be safe.

He doesn't miss kicks like that.

— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) October 5, 2019

Is it me, or has Owen Farrell played the last 50 minutes, like somebody who has had a bang on the head? #HIA #RugbyWorldCup #ENGvARG

— Dan Styring (@StyringDan) October 5, 2019

Worst I've seen Owen Farrell play in years. One wonders if he's been affected by the high tackle. Very surprised tackles like that don't have mandatory HIAs afterwards. #ENGvARG

— Robert Giannotti (@robertgiannotti) October 5, 2019

Owen Farrell takes an elbow to the head from a 6ft 7in, 17 stone forward and doesn’t go for a HIA. Really?

— Tom English (@TEnglishSport) October 5, 2019

How has Owen Farrell not been taken off for an HIA after that hit to the head? No coincidence that he’s subsequently missed 3 kicks in my eyes. If player safety is the priority he has to be checked surely? #ENGvARG #RWC2019

— Charlie (@chrlzxvr) October 5, 2019

Don’t really understand why Owen Farrell hasn’t gone for a HIA, clear shoulder to head and missing kicks he’d usually get #ENGvARG

— Mike (@mikehend1999) October 5, 2019

https://twitter.com/Ryan____a/status/1180414383534551040

https://twitter.com/PTstephenB/status/1180426707939004417

World Rugby 🏉 still has work to do on concussions & HIAs. Still think Owen Farrell is not right after that tackle as evidenced by the missed kicks

— Maria (@grigal) October 5, 2019

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