D-Day Looms for Newcastle Falcons Boss Steve Diamond This Friday

Thursday, 10 April 2025 at 22:17

bySteven Smith

Newcastle Falcons boss Steve Diamond is set for a date with the disciplinary panel this Friday following alleged verbal abuse aimed at match officials during the Gallagher Premiership clash against Exeter Chiefs on March 29.

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The Falcons suffered a narrow 17-15 defeat at Sandy Park, but Diamond’s frustration wasn’t just with the scoreboard.

Not his first rodeo...

Diamond, who has never been one to hold back, has been charged with after some choice words about the officiating.

conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game and/or union

The incident reportedly happened post-match, with Diamond fuming about a try awarded to Exeter despite what he believed was clear foul play in the build-up.

Diamond’s dig at the TMO

In classic Diamond fashion, he didn’t mince his words.

“This one was decided by the officials,” he said. “There is a clear act of foul play in the lead-up to the try, and I don’t know for the life of me why the TMO doesn’t have a look at it at least.”

And he didn’t stop there.

“If we are going to take foul play out of the game, then let’s not waste time and just look at forward passes to see whether a try is a try or a try is not a try.”

“I am disappointed with the officials, but fair play to Exeter; they kept going, like we kept going, and someone has to lose, and it was us today.”

Diamond rounded off by criticising the officials’ decision not to check a key moment:

“The TMO must see. I didn’t see it live, so it’s difficult for the referee in that position. But on the first recall I see of it, it’s ridiculous. Callum asked the ref to check it, but nothing.”

Who is Steve Diamond?

A no-nonsense northerner and former hooker, Steve Diamond is one of the most colourful and controversial figures in English rugby. Known for his brutally honest interviews and confrontational touchline presence, Diamond previously held long-term roles at Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors before stepping into the hot seat at Kingston Park in 2024. He’s developed a reputation as both a shrewd operator and a serial provocateur when it comes to match officials.

With Diamond now in the dock once again, all eyes will be on Friday’s hearing to see if the outspoken boss has crossed the line—or simply spoken the truth too loudly.

Alun Wyn Jones and Owen Farrell included on list of worst British & Irish Lions

The British & Irish Lions is the pinnacle of a player's career – a chance to prove yourself against the very best. But not everyone rises to the occasion.

While some have cemented their legacies in red jerseys, others have left fans wondering how they even made the squad.

From unfortunate injuries to underwhelming performances, we take a look at some of the worst Lions players across different tours, with big names like Owen Farrell and Alun Wyn Jones making the cut.

2021 tour: Owen Farrell – The forgotten playmaker

Owen Farrell, one of the most recognisable and influential players in modern rugby, endured a tour to forget in South Africa. Despite his vast experience and reputation as a leader, Farrell was named by SA Rugby Mag as the worst-performing Lion on the tour.

Initially expected to play a key role, he started three games and featured off the bench in the first two Tests.

However, as the series decider loomed, head coach Warren Gatland made a brutal call – dropping Farrell from the matchday 23 entirely. It was a stark fall from grace for a player who was once considered indispensable.

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2017 tour: Stuart Hogg – A case of bad luck

Stuart Hogg was primed to be the Lions' Test full-back in 2017, but fate had other plans. The Scottish star suffered a freak injury in the third game of the tour against the Crusaders, colliding with Conor Murray’s elbow and fracturing his eye socket.

While injuries are unfortunate, Hogg’s Lions career as a whole was disappointing. He failed to make a significant impact on the 2013 or 2021 tours either, making him one of the most underwhelming repeat selections in Lions history.

2013 tour: Tom Court – The holiday call-up

If there was ever a Lions selection that left fans scratching their heads, it was Tom Court in 2013. The Ireland prop wasn’t even in the original squad – he was on holiday with his family when he got the call-up.

Thrown into the squad late, Court was never going to be a game-changer. He did manage to hold his own in the scrum against the Melbourne Rebels, but his inclusion remains one of the strangest in Lions history.

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2009 tour: Alun Wyn Jones – A rare disaster for the legend

Alun Wyn Jones is a Lions legend – but his 2009 tour was anything but legendary. A young second-row at the time, he struggled against the formidable Springbok pack, leading Bleacher Report to rate his performances a dismal 4/10.

Jones was criticised for losing the ball in contact, looking out of his depth, and failing to impose himself physically. At times, he even looked "terrified" according to some reports. It was a rocky start to a Lions career that would later see him become one of the most respected captains in history.

2005 tour: Andy Titterrell – The most questionable selection?

The 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand was an unmitigated disaster, and some of the squad selections did little to help. Among the most baffling was Sale Sharks hooker Andy Titterrell, who had just two England caps to his name.

Sir Clive Woodward’s decision to take a bloated 44-man squad led to several left-field inclusions, but Titterrell stood out as particularly bizarre

TOUGH QUIZ: Can you name EVERY British & Irish Lions captain of the past 50 Years?

We've got a belter of a quiz in store, as we challenge you to name EVERY British & Irish Lions tour captain of the past 50 years. We start off our quiz back on the 1974 tour of South Africa, and bring it all the way up to the Lions' latest tour to the land of the Springboks in 2021.

To make this a little bit more difficult, some of the more recent tours included multiple captains, with both needed to be named if you want to ace this Lions Tour quiz. You have six minutes to get all of your answers down, and your time starts... Now!