“Every single water-carrier was still on the pitch!”
England captain Owen Farrell was livid with French referee Pascal Gauzere as a couple of first half try decisions went against his side.
The scores were level at 3-3, after 16 minutes, when there was a small break in play for a penalty. Water-carriers from both sides were on the pitch but Wales No.10 Dan Biggar got the nod from Gauzere and took a quick-tap before launching a cross-field kick for Josh Adams. to score from.
Several of the English players were taking fluids on-board when the move rapidly unfolded, and were caught unawares.
As the Welsh players celebrated, Farrell approached Gauzere and begged for him to reverse the try decision.
“Give us a second,” Farrell protested, “You’ve got to give us time to set.”
“Please,” Gauzere fired back, “I talk first. I give the [signal] for time back on, I give the time for you to give the message to your teams. I say ‘time on’ and after is play on.”
With that, the discussion was over and Biggar made matters worse (for England) by slotting over a touchline conversion.
Wales get the opening try! 🏴
Owen Farrell is NOT happy! 😡
Biggar took a quick kick while Farrell was still talking to his England teammates after instructions from the referee.#WALvENG #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/3K7fjqWj20
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 27, 2021
Adding salt to the wound, both Gauzere and his TMO allowed a Liam Williams try to stand, after 27 minutes, even though the ball may have come forward off the hand of Louis Rees-Zammit.
The second half saw Wales clinch a Triple Crown, and keep themselves on course for a Grand Slam, by adding a raft of penalties. Sub Cory Hill boshed over, on 79 minutes, to get the bonus point extras.
It will be interesting to get Eddie Jones’ take on this one.
