"Disappointed me" - Warren Gatland calls out Dan Biggar for scrap with Owen Farrell
Rugby NewsMonday, 14 August 2023 at 11:36
Wales coach Warren Gatland has called out Dan Biggar after the Wales fly-half almost came to blows with Owen Farrell after the England captain was sent off at Twickenham.
On Saturday, Farrell made history as the inaugural English player to have a yellow card turned into a red card through the newly implemented ‘Bunker’ review system.
This decision came after a high tackle on Taine Basham.
"Owen Farrell is facing a crossroads in his career. It feels like time is running out for him to fix his tackle technique because it could end up being really costly for him and for England," wrote Gatland in his column for the Telegraph.
"The problem is that at times he goes into contact too upright, and in reviewing his hit on Taine Basham on Saturday night, I have no doubt it was a red card."
Gatland added: "The incident caused a bit of anger within our playing group,
"But Dan Biggar’s reaction in confronting Owen after the tackle disappointed me. Dan is one of our most experienced players and in that moment, you wanted him to be calm and relaxed.
"I know he said to the players that if we kept our discipline and not give away any penalties, we would win the game.
"Dan is such a competitor which is what drives him and what has made him such an important player for Wales over the years. But engaging and confronting Owen led to a bit of a scuffle was the last thing we wanted.
It would have sent mixed messages to our younger players. In big moments like that you want your most experienced players to show leadership and calmness and deliver messages about what we do from here and how we are going to take control."
Biggar comments on incident:
"I’ve got no issue with Owen – we’ve been team-mates with the Lions – but he made it personal by coming at me in the second half at Twickenham," wrote Biggar in his column for the Mail Online.
"‘Stop complaining,’ was what Farrell said in my direction, just after he’d hit Taine Basham high. I thought it was a clear red card and was just airing my view."
"I told Farrell that people are allowed to have a go at him. He’s not above everyone else. Owen is such a competitive guy, just like I am, and it was a heat-of-the-moment incident.
"I was very surprised Farrell and Freddie Steward weren’t sent off immediately. Both were given yellow cards, but Owen’s was upgraded to a red by the new television bunker system.
"That will mean he’s likely to get a ban, one which could rule him out of the start of England’s World Cup campaign. As much as we went head-to-head at Twickenham, the World Cup will be all the poorer if Owen is forced to be on the sidelines. It will be a big blow to England."
Five most hated rugby players, named and ranked:
We have curated a compilation of individuals who, through their actions on and off the field, have acquired a regrettable reputation within the game. Their notoriety extends beyond specific fan bases or clubs; it encompasses the entire rugby community.
#5. Dan Biggar (Wales)
Amusingly, Biggar epitomizes the kind of player who manages to invoke strong dislike until he becomes a part of your own team.
Over the course of his career, this fly-half has exhibited a growing penchant for passionately berating referees.
This behavior has reached such heights that Glove39, a renowned online personality and unwavering fan of Scotland, cleverly crafted a video titled 'birdman.'
In this video, Glove39 humorously mimicked Biggar's habitual arm-raising expression of frustration directed at officials.
#4. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
The expert in unsportsmanlike behavior. Sexton is skilled in exaggerating contact or distracting officials, knowing precisely when to employ his repertoire of underhanded tactics.
His most recent example of on-field nouse came against Wales just last weekend. The yellow card handed to Liam Williams in the 65th minute for a high hit on Sexton took a while to come as it was reviewed from multiple angles by the officials.
Wales fans piled in on Sexton after the Williams sin-binning, with one writing: 'Sexton play acted a head injury. Blatant cheating.'
Another Wales fan vented: 'That Liam Williams yellow card shows why rugby will be dead in a few years – nothing wrong with Liams body shape and Sexton play acting sums up how rugby has drastically changed for the worse. It’s a mockery to the real injuries.'
Another commented on Sexton being seen winking after the card, and said that his behaviour would "destroy the spectacle that is International rugby"
#3. Nic White (Australia)
White has become arguably the most unpopular player in world rugby over the past 12 months..
Last year, White fell about like a lion had attempted to rip off his face after Faf de Klerk accidentally made contact with it while attempting to dislodge the ball out of his hands as he attempted a pass.
After consulting with the television match official, referee Paul Williams adjudicated that this warranted a yellow card for de Klerk.
This decision sent the world of rugby into meltdown, with criticism coming from all quarters aimed at White for bringing the game into disrepute.
#2. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
The world Cup-winning lock is undoubtedly world-class, but he is also one of the dirtiest players in the sport. If your team has played against him, you will not be a fan. A proper sh**house, but huge biceps.
#1. Owen Farrell (England)
Could it be anybody else? Farrell fits the label “our guy” better than most, meaning you love to hate him unless he’s in your squad.
Then you’d go to the end’s of the earth to defend him. The England captain, also known as 'Shoulder boy' for his high tackling, does himself no favours with his poor tackling technique.
And that came to a head yesterday when he was sent off for a high tackle against Wales.
Farrell could potentially miss the start of the World Cup as a result of his dismissal for a high tackle on Taine Basham in the 19-17 win at Twickenham.
England's first World Cup match is against Argentina on 9 September.
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