World Rugby has confirmed they will appeal the decision to not suspend Owen Farrell for his dangerous tackle.
Farrell was facing a lengthy ban that would have ruled him out of the start of next month's World Cup after he was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Taine Basham on Saturday.
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The English captain was cleared by a disciplinary panel on Wednesday morning (Australian time), believing the TMO "was wrong, on the balance of probabilities, to upgrade the yellow card issued to the player to a red card."
This caused significant backlash as fans and pundits alike protested the decision, citing a lack of consistency around the apparent high hit and player safety.
As a result, the governing body has appealed the decision, leaving Farrell with a nervous wait.
"World Rugby has today confirmed to the Rugby Football Union and Six Nations Rugby that it will exercise its right to appeal in regard to the Owen Farrell disciplinary decision following a careful review of the independent Judicial Committee's full written decision received on 16 August," they said in a statement.
"World Rugby fully supports the important role that an independent disciplinary process plays in upholding the integrity and values of the sport, particularly regarding foul play involving head contact.
"Player welfare is the sport’s number one priority, and the Head Contact Process is central to that mission at the elite level of the sport.
"Having considered the full written decision, World Rugby considers an appeal to be warranted."
Further details regarding the hearing, including appointments and date, will be confirmed by Six Nations Rugby.
Farrell's most recent suspension came in January after an illegal challenge on Gloucester's Jack Clement in January.
That ban was reduced from four to three games after the England fly-half completed tackle school, allowing him to face Scotland in the Six Nations opener.
