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The Woodward recruit who was instrumental in Farrell red card case
By Liam Heagney
Clive Woodward has recalled that he was ridiculed when he first brought lawyer Richard Smith into the England set-up. It was 2002 when he first engaged the legal eagle and that recruitment is still paying dividends 21 years later as Smith was the lawyer who represented current skipper Owen Farrell at his three-and-a-half hour disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.
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Amid fears that Farrell could be set for a hefty ban for the red-carded high shot he put in on Walesā Taine Basham last Saturday, the outcome was instead very different as Smith played his part in convincing the independent disciplinary hearing committee that the red card should be rescinded, freeing Farrell to play on with immediate effect.
Writing in Sportsmail, Woodward, who coached England to 2003 World Cup glory in Australia, gave an insight into Smith, recalling how he proved invaluable at the finals 20 years ago during the controversy that surrounded a managerial error in the pool win over Samoa.
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āI was ridiculed for bringing Richard Smith KC into the England set-up in 2002,ā began Woodward. āMany said there was no need and that his presence would be a waste of time and money for the RFU.
āBut Richard proved his worth to me instantly on several fronts and was an excellent team player. Two decades on, he is still working brilliantly with English rugby.
āThe Farrell situation once again shows the importance of having a good lawyer in your team. I have no doubt that without Richard in his corner, Farrell would not have got off as lightly as he did.
āAt the 2003 World Cup, we briefly fielded 16 players on the field against Samoa when Dan Luger came on the field by mistake. It was totally my fault and we could easily have been docked points.
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āRichard helped us get off with a fine and Iāll always owe him a debt of thanks for that given we went on to win the World Cup in Australia that year.
āFarrell also has a big thank you to give himā¦ Richard is the only survivor from my 2003 team still working with England today. He is still proving his worth. Richard is undoubtedly superb at what he does.ā
It was never a red card in the first place, so justice has been seen to be done. Hallelujah.
I hate clive woodward more every time he opens his mouth
It is good to see justice carried out through the proper channels by a panel weighing the evidence, without prejudice or favour. Fortunately the biased views of the court of public opinion is irrelevant - and long may it be so!
It's going to be even better seeing Samoa and Argentina be able to target Farrell's head with their shoulders without prejudice, and know that they're not going to face any punishment.
This judicial review and its subsequent ruling I think has fundamentally undermined not just the new bunker rule, but also the role of TMOs and refs more generally.
I think that this case will in the longer term be remembered for the law of unforseen consequence.
There must be a point where integrity and ethical values win out over legal chicanery, or the game will lose its soul.
I dont know whats worse. The decision to overturn the red card ... or Sir Clive Woodward gloating that he was ultimately the reason Owen Farrell got let off. A sad day for rugby and any parent concerned about player safety.
Sad that a lawyer has to get involved Farrell is clearly a T-Rex š¦
well maybe his lawyer got him confussed with will farrell who is an actual actor. its a stupid decison hope someone gives him the same treatment and gets away with it
A sad day for rugby ethics
Cheats, plain and simple.