When does Owen Farrell’s England ban end and how many Rugby World Cup games is he missing?

England’s Rugby World Cup is about to begin but captain Owen Farrell is unavailable for selection for the first two games.

The English skipper has admitted that the tackle which resulted in his four-game suspension was a mistake, saying he is “gutted” to be unavailable for the pivotal World Cup opener against Argentina in Marseille on the opening weekend of the tournament. His dangerous hit on Wales’ Taine Basham during a warm-up game in August resulted in a four-match suspension that ends after the Pool D clash with Japan.

Farrell initially had his red card downgraded to a yellow by a disciplinary hearing, only for World Rugby to appeal against the decision, which was upheld.

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