Farrell's defence of Curry saw writing on the wall

WHEN Owen Farrell threw his full support behind Tom Curry at the World Cup in France, he offered the first clue that he might throw in his cards.

- Nick Purewal

The nonplussed Farrell found all the right words to stick up for Curry, who had been abused on social media for making allegations of racism against South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi.

The 32-year-old was about to captain England in the third-place play-off against Argentina, and while he was relishing the Parisian adventure, rugby's dark side was taking its toll.

No one who heard Farrell speak on October 25, just two days out from the Bronze Final, would have had the slightest inkling he would withdraw himself from selection for the following Six Nations.

But no one in that room at France's Institute of Sport on the capital's outskirts was left in any doubt that Farrell was as furious as he was puzzled by the state of social media.

"Just because you are saying things on your phone or behind a computer screen doesn't make it acceptable," said Farrell. "It seems to be going more this way, and it's not acceptable.

"I don't think it's for the players to come up with an answer to that. But it doesn't make me look fondly on engaging with people outside of those close to me." So, when Saracens yesterday revealed that Farrell will miss next year's Six Nations in order to "prioritise his and his family's well-being", thoughts turned immediately to rugby's murkier machinations.