Six Nations 2024 Fixtures Out – Farrell Decision overturned 

The 2024 Guinness Six Nations schedule has been officially announced, signaling the commencement of rugby’s premier annual international Championship on Friday, February 2nd, with a clash between France and Ireland. 

The Guinness Six Nations occupies a distinctive and cherished spot in the sporting calendar, eagerly anticipated by fans who buy Six Nations Rugby tickets year after year. Even though there is a hiatus with the World Cup in France, enthusiasts have already begun anticipating its return the following year, as a compelling set of fixtures promises intense drama, top-tier athletic entertainment, and unforgettable experiences for fans across the globe.

On top of all that, fans expecting to buy Six Nations rugby tickets next year hope that one of the teams playing the tournament will be a World Cup winner. 

The Northern Hemisphere teams are gaining momentum to win the grand prize in France later this year. 

With robust broadcast coverage, the 2022 Guinness Six Nations achieved an impressive viewership of over 119 million live spectators. Six Nations Rugby is dedicated to providing fans with optimum access to all the action, and in 2024, collaborative broadcast partnerships will be instrumental in immersing fans into the heart of the Championship.

BBC and ITV will share broadcasting rights within the UK, while S4C will offer Welsh language coverage. France Television will be the dedicated hub for French fans, while RTE and Virgin Media will continue to cover the games in Ireland. Plans for broadcast coverage of the Championship in Italy will be confirmed shortly. 

This comprehensive broadcast coverage will be supplemented by widespread international broadcasting and a World Feed service.

Discussing the unveiling of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations fixtures, Ben Morel, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, stated:

“The essence of the Guinness Six Nations lies in its dramatic flair, unpredictable narratives, and the intense rivalries unfurling across five captivating rounds of matches. This dynamic quality is what fuels the immense excitement that fans harbor for this prestigious Championship.

Every year, upon announcing the fixtures, fans, media, and players discuss the upcoming games and the rivalries and debate the potential outcomes as they count down for the Six Nations rugby tickets launch. 

Through our extensive broadcast collaborations and coverage, we can bring every exhilarating moment of the Championship to fans worldwide. It’s exciting to stoke anticipation for what lies ahead in 2024.”

Farrell Cleared in Controversial Ruling

England rugby captain Owen Farrell has been cleared to play in the Rugby World Cup after his red card in a warm-up match against Wales got overturned. Farrell’s yellow card was upgraded to red due to a high tackle on Taine Basham. 

However, a disciplinary panel concluded that the involvement of England’s Jamie George in the tackle caused Basham to change direction, leading to a late change in dynamics. The panel stated that the foul play review officer was wrong to upgrade the card to red. This decision allows Farrell to continue preparing for the tournament and be eligible for selection.

Despite the decision, concerns have been raised about player welfare. Prof John Fairclough of Progressive Rugby criticized the verdict, saying it makes a “mockery” of health concerns within the game and undermines confidence in the judicial process. The newly introduced ‘bunker’ review system for foul play was used in this case, as the on-field referee couldn’t decide the severity of Farrell’s tackle.

George Ford, a potential replacement for Farrell, expressed relief at the decision, highlighting the fast pace of the game and the subjective nature of such decisions. England will play Ireland and Fiji in their remaining warm-up matches before the World Cup.

The Six Nations Statement

The Six Nations has released a statement clarifying the decision made by an independent disciplinary hearing to allow Owen Farrell, who was red-carded, to resume playing immediately. Initially, concerns were raised that England’s captain could face a ban of up to six matches following an incident with Wales’ Taine Basham at Twickenham during the Summer Nations Series match.

The statement explained that Owen Farrell, the England fly-half, appeared before an independent judicial committee via video link for an act of foul play that contravened law 9.13 (tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders, even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders). 

The committee, consisting of Adam Casselden (chair), John Langford, and David Croft, all from Australia, reviewed the available evidence and submissions from the player and his representative.

The committee acknowledged that Farrell committed an act of foul play but concluded that it didn’t deserve a red card. They applied World Rugby’s head contact process. They considered the late change in dynamics due to Jamie George’s interaction in the contact area, which caused a sudden change in direction from the ball carrier. 

This dynamic change and the player’s foul play fell below the red card threshold.

The committee emphasized that their decision should not criticize the foul play review officer, who had to make a quick decision without the same amount of deliberation. The committee’s access to additional material and the luxury of time allowed them to thoroughly consider the incident and its context, leading to the decision not to uphold the red card.

As a result, the player is deemed free to play immediately.

Wales key figure out of 2024 Six Nations 

Liam Williams has confirmed that his move to Japan will prevent his participation in next year’s Six Nations, but he intends to continue Test rugby after the World Cup. 

Wales fans who will purchase Six Nations rugby tickets will not see the likes of Williams next eut hope that he will be after the stint in Japan. 

The Wales full-back will join Kubota Spears on a two-year contract following the France tournament. While he will be unavailable in February and March, he could be free for the summer tour to Australia if chosen by Wales coach Warren Gatland.

Williams expressed his commitment to the game but noted that his availability for future events would depend on the coaching staff’s decisions. He anticipates speaking with Gatland after the World Cup and towards the end of the season in Japan to discuss potential opportunities like the Australia tour.

His recent performance against England showcased his capabilities, where his positional play and running were notable despite Wales’ defeat. Williams, with 85 caps, acknowledged his advancing age but stressed his intent to cherish the remaining years of his international career.

Looking to the future, Williams highlighted the emergence of young talents like Sam Costelow, Max Llewellyn, Tommy Rogers, and Mason Grady. He also praised Joe Roberts’ performance and predicted he would be one to watch in the coming year. 

As he prepares for his new chapter in Japan, Williams aims to contribute positively to Wales whenever the opportunity arises.