Six Nations 2018: Owen Farrell escapes any action for tunnel clash as officials confirm ‘no evidence of violent conduct’

England centre was involved in an altercation with Scotland's Ryan Wilson that included 'some pushing and shoving' but nothing worthy of any further action

Owen Farrell is seen chasing after Scotland No 8 Ryan Wilson, who has been cited for a separate incident (YouTube/Rugby Dump)

Owen Farrell will not face any further action over his role in the pre-match incident in the Murrayfield tunnel ahead of England’s defeat by Scotland after all players were cleared of any violent conduct, but the Six Nations will write to both teams to remind them of their “obligations to uphold the reputation of the tournament”.

The England centre was seen on television footage running into the tunnel in pursuit of Scotland No 8 Ryan Wilson, who was ahead of him and appeared to be talking to Farrell’s teammate George Ford. Additional camera phone footage showed Farrell grabbing Wilson to confront him, although the players soon disappeared from few as they entered the area outside the changing rooms.

Six Nations officials asked both the Scottish Rugby Union [SRU] and Rugby Football Union [RFU] to explain the incident, and after investigating the matter have deemed that neither has a case to answer.

“It had been reported that some of the players had been involved in a ‘melee’ or ‘scuffle’ in or near the tunnel after the pre-match warm-up,” a Six Nations statement read.

“Six Nations Rugby gathered material from the RFU and SRU, as well as from the BBC and match officials. It also considered footage of the incident. It concluded that there was some evidence of pushing and shoving in the tunnel at the relevant time but no clear evidence of violent conduct or similar against any individual player.

“Accordingly, Six Nations Rugby will be writing to the SRU and RFU to remind them and their respective players of their obligations to uphold the reputation of the tournament at all times, but no further disciplinary action will be taken. Six Nations Rugby will also remind all unions of their’s and their players’ obligations.”

None of the players involved in the skirmish have spoken of what sparked the incident, which came just minutes before England’s 25-13 defeat by Scotland that ended their hopes of a second Six Nations Grand Slam in three years.


 Wilson has been cited for a separate incident involving England's Nathan Hughes 
 (Getty)

It’s believed that the RFU backed Farrell and claimed that he did not trigger the altercation, although video footage showed the Saracens back chasing after Wilson and grabbing him from behind.

Wilson has also been cited for a separate incident, having allegedly made contact with the eyes of England No 8 Nathan Hughes during the same match. The incident, which occurred three minutes before half-time, was picked up by the match citing commissioner, with w hearing taking place on Wednesday afternoon.

If found guilty, Wilson could face a ban of between four and 12 weeks, before any reductions are imposed due to mitigating circumstances.