Owen Farrell cleared to play in England’s Six Nations opener against Scotland

Owen Farrell will be available for England's opening Six Nations game against Scotland on February 4 after the Rugby Football Union intervened over his ban.

The governing body confirmed Farrell's suspension for a dangerous tackle will have been deemed fully served before the tournament begins.

Farrell faced a disciplinary hearing after his shoulder made contact with the head of Jack Clement in the 75th minute of Saracens' Premiership victory over Gloucester. The four-match suspension would have prevented him from running out at Twickenham in Steve Borthwick's first match in charge.

However, when announcing the ban, it was set to be reduced to three weeks if Farrell completed the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme.

Farrell, though, would not normally have been available for the Premiership match against Bristol on January 28 as any player in the Six Nations squad does not feature for their club the weekend before. As such, the disciplinary panel could have revised what constitutes the 'meaningful' fixtures which make up the ban and therefore included the Scotland game within those.

Nevertheless, Farrell - who told the disciplinary panel that he would take the tackle technique coaching course - will be back with Saracens to play against Bristol, so then clearing him to feature for England in the Calcutta Cup clash.

Read more via walesonline