Nigel Owens slams Six Nations stars 'diving antics'

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The incident came just seven minutes into the match, with referee Hollie Davidson penalising Sheehan after he appeared to dive into contact near the line.

Speaking about the decision, Owens pointed to a previous clarification in the laws.

“Yeah, we have and then a ruling came out regarding it, actually,” Owens said, referencing a World Rugby law clarification back in 2022.

He explained the key difference comes down to intent.

“So what you’ve got to do is this: if you’re diving in the act of scoring a try, so like you on the wing when you go diving the corner, that’s fine.

“Now, what you can’t do is dive to avoid being tackled. So, you’re not actually diving for the line. You’re diving to avoid the tackle and then carry on to get over the line – that is not allowed.

“Jumping over into tackle would be deemed to be dangerous play as well, because when you’re diving, technically in law, the tackler is not allowed to carry in the air, but we allow that if you’re in the act of diving to score a try.”

Owens was clear in his conclusion.

“So, quite rightly, they penalised Dan Sheehan here because he jumped to avoid the tackle rather than a natural action to score a try.”

A big call early on – but according to Owens, the right one.

Each of the six pools featured a team from Bands 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The confirmed Bands based on rankings were:

Band 1: South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Argentina
Band 2: Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales, Japan
Band 3: Georgia, Uruguay, Spain, USA, Chile, Tonga
Band 4: Samoa, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong China, Zimbabwe, Canada

New Zealand – Perennial contenders with flair, power and unmatched rugby IQ.
Australia – Unpredictable but dangerous, capable of brilliance on their day.
Chile – Fast-improving newcomers bringing passion and fearless physicality.
Hong Kong China – Skillful, energetic, and eager to prove themselves on the global stage.

South Africa – Brutal, relentless, and brutally efficient—never count them out.
Italy – Developing rapidly, mixing strong set-piece work with expanding ambition.
Georgia – Scrum specialists with raw forward strength and growing all-round polish.
Romania – Proud and powerful, known for toughness and unwavering fight.

Argentina – Dynamic, crafty, and fiercely competitive with a never-say-die spirit.
Fiji – Magical offloads, searing pace, and unique unpredictability.
Spain – Determined climbers building consistency and confidence every year.
Canada – Physical and committed, working to regain their traditional sharpness.

Ireland – Well-drilled, intelligent, and ruthlessly efficient across the park.
Scotland – Creative attackers with growing confidence and slick backline play.
Uruguay – Tenacious, organized, and fearless against bigger rugby nations.
Portugal – Exciting, fast-paced, and thriving with a young, fearless core.

France – Electric, unpredictable, and capable of brilliance from anywhere.
Japan – High-tempo, disciplined, and tactically sharp—they never stop moving.
USA – Athletic and physical, with a growing pool of exciting talent.
Samoa – Bone-shaking tackles, powerful runners, and trademark island flair.

England – Structured, strategic, and capable of grinding down any opponent.
Wales – Proud, passionate, and dangerous when the momentum swings their way.
Tonga – Heavy hitters with explosive power and fearless intensity.
Zimbabwe – Energetic and ambitious, bringing speed and spirit to every contest.

From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.

Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!