RFU insists 'distracted' TMO did not ignore hit on Farrell

The Rugby Football Union has insisted that the television match official who appeared to ignore foul play on Owen Farrell after the pundit Austin Healey had seemingly spotted the incident first was not influenced by the TV commentary during Saracens' victory against Harlequins.

- Gerard Meagher

 

While the RFU admitted to an "unfortunate occurrence" and expressed regret that "questions have been raised about player safety and decision-making", the TMO Stuart Terheege will not face further action and it is understood he will be on duty this weekend.

The RFU has claimed Terheege had already made his decision not to pursue further action over a late hit on Farrell by Stephan Lewies but conceded the TMO is "disappointed he allowed himself to be distracted with interactions with the broadcast team and did not communicate his decision to the on-field match officials".

The RFU began an investigation after Terheege appeared to be caught on a hot microphone refusing to further examine an incident between Lewies and Farrell in which the Harlequins forward hit the Saracens fly-half off the ball shortly before Juan Martín Gonzalez scored a try.