Owen Farrell sent off as England secure scrappy late win over Wales

A fourth successive defeat and slump to ninth in the world rankings beckoned, but they rallied bravely with three players off the pitch.

Owen Farrell’s red card overshadowed England’s win over Wales (Joe Giddens/PA)

England’s preparations for the World Cup continued to unravel after captain Owen Farrell was sent off in a 19-17 victory secured through a late George Ford penalty.

At one point during the final quarter Steve Borthwick’s men were reduced to 12 men when Farrell – whose yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Taine Basham was upgraded to a red by the bunker – followed the sin-binned Freddie Steward and Ellis Genge into the stands.