'Utter stupidity' - Owen Farrell carded after 6 minutes for clash with England teammate

Saracens flyhalf Owen Farrell was carded just minutes into their Gallagher Premiership clash with bitter rivals Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.

The England star was given his marching orders after appearing to needlessly trip England teammate Jack Nowell just six minutes into the clash.

Owen Farrell receives a yellow card for tripping Jack Nowell ? #GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/1sQOCmrtV2

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 22, 2022

Unsurprisingly, Farrell was criticised on social media for the coach-killer indiscretion.

“Owen Farrell getting a penalty reversed against him for needlessly pushing lads and now a yellow card for a trip, and only 6 minutes gone. You love to see it,” wrote one fan.

Owen Farrell getting a penalty reversed against him for needlessly pushing lads and now a yellow card for a trip, and only 6 minutes gone. You love to see it.

— John (@johngormley94) October 22, 2022

Others were less generous. “Utter stupidity from Owen Farrell. What’s he playing at?” wrote irate fan.

https://twitter.com/StevePhillipsXV/status/1583822556142145537

https://twitter.com/ajrblakey/status/1583822333793312772

All seemed forgiven by half-time between long time England teammates. “Brief exchange between Jack Nowell and Owen Farrell as the players go down the tunnel. Smiles and a bum-slap (from the former to the latter). They’re mates,” wrote Charlie Morgan.

Brief exchange between Jack Nowell and Owen Farrell as the players go down the tunnel. Smiles and a bum-slap (from the former to the latter). They're mates.

— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) October 22, 2022

A bitter rivalry at the top of the table, the last seven matches between these sides testify to how competitive Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens has become: Chiefs have won three, Sarries four.

Exeter Chiefs have lost only one of their first five fixtures this season. They are also on a four-match winning streak at home in the Premiership.

Saracens are the most prolific side in this season’s Premiership to date, having scored 25 tries in the competition before today’s fixture.

Boasting the most penetrative attack in the league, Saracens have made more clean breaks than any other team this season – a total of 69 – coming into today’s fixture.

However, they have been the poorest side in the league at retaining possession at the ruck so far this season, only recycling the ball from 93 per cent of these breakdowns.

Exeter Chiefs have made more carries than any other team in the league so far this season with 808 prior to this afternoon’s kick-off.