James Davies appears to be public enemy number one for a lot of rugby fans after his showing on Sunday.
The Welshman played as his Scarlets side drew 22-22 with Saracens in the Champions Cup thanks to an 11th hour try from Chris Ashton which was converted by Owen Farrell to bring the tie level.
A few moments before the last gasp score, Saracens found themselves down to 14-men when Will Skelton was sent to the sin bin on the 76 minute mark. The Aussie lock was shown the yellow card for slapping James Davies in the face as a maul collapsed.
There appeared to be intention behind Skelton’s swinging arm as it connected with Davies’ cheek, who was sent reeling backwards and fell to the ground in a heap.
Ouch. Saracens' Will Skelton sin-binned for this 'slap' on Scarlets' James Davies… 👋😳. #ChampionsCup https://t.co/Bb9AMsMDWN
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) January 15, 2017
A lot of rugby fans had an issue with the incident, although most of the vitriol wasn’t aimed at the man who fell as opposed to the one who swung his arm.
The rugby community had a real problem with how easily Davies appeared to go down after the strike, with some even going as far to accuse the Scarlets man of feigning injury in a bid to get his opponent sent off.
https://twitter.com/gavinmortimer7/status/820646841842802689
This is happening more often in rugby. It is wrong even if there is contact & World Rugby must compel officials to penalise it. https://t.co/vlZDnDRePL
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) January 15, 2017
Hmmm yellow card for Will Skelton, Oscar for James Davies?? He "sold" that quite hard!
— Andrew McKenna (@talkMacca) January 15, 2017
A slap by Will Skelton sends James Davies to the floor very dramatically 🙈
— All for Rugby (@AllForRugby1) January 15, 2017
Yellow for James Davies for diving from a #slap
— Austin Healey (@IamAustinHealey) January 15, 2017
Good bit of milking by James Davies. Correct decision mind !
— Tom Shanklin (@TomShanklin) January 15, 2017
