Owen Farrell is CLEARED completely after red card for dangerous high tackle against

England captain Owen Farrell is free to play in the World Cup after a disciplinary panel made a shock decision to rescind his red card.

The No 10 was sent off for a high shot on Wales flanker Taine Basham at Twickenham on Saturday but contested the decision in a video hearing on Tuesday.

He is now free to play immediately, meaning he can feature in this weekend’s warm-up game against Ireland.

It was anticipated that Farrell was in line for a significant ban that would have ruled him out of a portion of England’s World Cup campaign. 

But Steve Borthwick and the Saracens man can breath a sigh of relief, with the key man freely available for selection.  

Owen Farrell was sent off for a high shot on Taine Basham during England’s win over Wales

A disciplinary panel on Monday decided to rescind the red card after the video hearing

The national captain was dismissed for a high tackle that was look at on review 

It is understood that the red card was struck off because England hooker Jamie George shoved Farrell into contact. 

Farrell was therefore not seen to be to blame for his shoulder connecting with the Welshman’s head. 

Evidently this was the defence that England based their case on and it proved to be successful in Tuesday’s hearing. 

Farrell had been in grave danger of being suspended for up to six weeks, in light of his track record of similar offences – including earlier this year, when he received a three-game ban – reduced from four because he took part in a ‘coaching intervention’ (tackle awareness) course. 

Fellow England back Joe Marchant claimed that the Red Rose skipper was ‘gutted’ after the 19-17 win against a back-up Wales side. 

So it will be a significant boost to the group now that he has been cleared.  

Steve Borthwick will be hugely relieved that his captain is freely available to play 

More to follow…