Legendary referee Nigel Owens has called out Nolann Le Garrec for what he's branded a ridiculous dive during Racing 92's Top 14 clash with Perpignan – and he wants action taken.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
Channeling his inner Neymar
With Racing 92 trailing 28-17 in the 70th minute and down to 14 men after Vinaya Habosi's red card, Le Garrec theatrically threw himself to the ground clutching his face in a desperate attempt to win a penalty. Spoiler alert: it didn't work.
A growing concern
The moment has sparked a fierce backlash, with Owens leading the charge. The Welsh whistle-blower, who officiated over 100 international matches, believes simulation is creeping into the sport – and it's something rugby cannot allow to take root.
He wrote on X”He is lucky I wasn't refin or he would have had a straight red no hesitation,”
Will the authorities act?
It remains to be seen whether Le Garrec will face any retrospective punishment, but one thing's certain – Owens isn't keeping quiet about it.
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5 Big-Name Stars Set to Miss Out on the Lions Squad – Including Finn Russell!
With the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad announcement just around the corner, the rumour mill is already in overdrive. Andy Farrell's selection promises to be one of the boldest in recent history—and not everyone is safe.
While some players have all but booked their tickets to Australia, others are sweating bullets. Whether it's poor form, fierce competition, or a coach with long memories, a few major names could be on the chopping block.
Here are five shock omissions we think are on the cards—and why their Lions dreams might be dead before the squad is even named…
1. Russell’s Rollercoaster Could Crash Early
Finn Russell (Scotland)
Moments of magic? Always. But consistency? Not so much. Russell's 2025 Six Nations was a mixed bag at best. A missed conversion against England and a disastrous showing versus France have left serious questions about his big-game temperament.
Add in the appointment of Johnny Sexton as Lions assistant coach, and things start looking bleak. In his autobiography, Sexton slammed Russell's 2021 selection as a media-driven hype job—and he hasn't softened since.
"If you want someone reliable in the trenches, you go with Owen Farrell," Sexton recently told The Times, taking a not-so-subtle dig at Russell's "flashy" style. He even spared Marcus Smith, calling him a "generational talent." Finn? Not so lucky.
2. Ringrose Running Out of Time
Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Not long ago, Ringrose looked like a nailed-on Lion. But a rocky Six Nations campaign could have sunk his chances. He was solid in Ireland's first couple of games, then saw red against Wales and missed the crunch clash with France. His return against Italy? Ropey.
He's still a classy operator on his day, but with Farrell spoiled for choice in the midfield, Ringrose may find himself edged out by younger, more in-form options.
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