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'Rude' exchange between Owen Farrell and Luke Pearce caught on ref mic
By Ian Cameron
England flyhalf and Saracens captain Owen Farrell found himself caught in a heated exchange with referee Luke Pearce on Saturday.
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Saracens secured a narrow 39-31 victory over Bristol Bears at the StoneX Stadium, but Farrell had a nightmare day at the kicking tee, missing five conversions and a penalty.
The home side, however, outscored Pat Lam’s Bears 7-4 on the penalty count, but on social media the spotlight shifted to a verbal clash between Farrell and Pearce.
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A video posted on X.com showed Farrell snapping back at Pearce after a discussion around a contentious ruck.
The exchange between Farrell and Pearce went as thus:
Owen Farrell: “That’s 3 at the maul.”
Luke Pearce: “Thanks, I can count.”
Owen Farrell: “Don’t be rude to me, there’s no need to be rude to me.”
OW “that’s 3 at the maul”
LP “ thanks, I can count”
OW “don’t be rude to me, there’s no need to be rude to me”#SARvBRI pic.twitter.com/Z1ksII9bgr
— Tony Hill (@AntonyMHill) November 26, 2023
Known for his outspoken nature with officials, Farrell seemed in this instance to have the support of many social media users who picked up on the exchange. Pearce – known for his directness with players – seemed to take Farrell’s feedback onboard, on this occasion, conceding to Farrell’s request not to be rude with him.
After the match Sarries DoR Mark McCall described Farrell’s strangely inaccurate performance as ‘one of those days’: “That was one of those days. I don’t think we’ll see that again. He was at the heart of the turnaround in the second half. It was a pretty ordinary first half and a better second half.”
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Ford is a better 10 - I think Offal is a backup/great kicker - make Earl the capo - lead by example
Farrell always was, still is and will always be a kant.
Come on Joseph - who's your team? And what have you achieved on the sporting stage?
3rd with mummy at the kindergarten Egg&Spoon?
Oooh the pressure - that 50p book token?
Justify your comment. Because calling Farrell a tnuc demonstrates your inability to recognise an England rugby legend.
So enter the spirit and tell us why you dislike him so much and if any other players fall under your harsh appraisal.
Are you an England fan? Who is your team of choice? I'm asking for a reason.
Pity Pearce wasn’t more direct.
A very good referee who needs the support of admin.
I see nothing wrong in Luke Pearce's comment.
Owen Farrell should not be telling the referee how to do his job, it's disrespectful but when does that stop him? About time RFU cracked down on players telling the ref how to do his job
I admit Owen F being a great player, but I wouldn't keep him as a captain anymore …. his petuliant nature rather upsets than intimidates the refs, which is rarely helpful
Gotta be honest with you Henrik - the Castle went over the TV with the sodding 10yds for being a touch over zealous with putting his viewpoint across. Not any captain's finest moment and with Pollard kicking that's rank stupidity. But I've never been in a world cup semifinal desperate to win and in the heat of battle. There's a thin line and more recently he's the wrong side too often.
Time for a new English flyhalf
- someone who wants to watch good matches at Twickenham
Got your wish Jon - subsequent to the disgraceful, vitriolic abuse he and his family received during the world cup, he has clearly been mentally affected leading to his withdrawal from the Six Nations.
Whatever you think about him he doesn't deserve that. No sportsman does unless he's been convicted of attempted rape, domestic battery - Collymore et al - a fantastic example to set for the youth of today.
Any current England rugby players of that ilk?
I think not.
Offal is a prize nob who is worth at least a 6 point start to any opposition just for rubbing the ref up the wrong way. Of course the current crop of inept refs don’t help, what a breath of fresh air Sarah Cox was.
Sorry Clive - I'm new to the forum but not to rugby. Is Offal a commonly used moniker for our talented yet obstreperous FH?
Or a clever reversed-negative phonetic gibe predicted upon a palindromic ryhme?
Or is it that Offal isn't everyone's favourite?
Not a fan of OF but no need for a sarcy response from LP. Some refs can get away with it as a bit of banter, can imagine Barnes or Owen’s delivering that line better…afraid LP doesn’t have that style.
the problem is, with a guy like OF, any ref with a little less natural born authority than Nigel O or even Barnes (which will be all the rest), is forced to establish his rule …. which will often be to the disadvantage of the team a guy like OF is captaining …. he’s no doubt a great 10, but a more soft-spoken captain would be preferable (in my humble view)
‘Knob head’
Kenny Boy, we need a bit more than Knobhead. How about a comment with some rugby content?
Farrell being a liitle bitch. He’s even worse than Sexton.
Could you elaborate on ‘worse than Sexton “ - are you talking about a certain South African? A referee widely regarded as flawed following his injury and clueless at the scrum……. just ask Flats - and as for his preferential treatment of all teams not England makes me sick 😷
Another example of Owen Farrell being a knob. They keep piling up. But those that know him keep telling us he’s this model citizen and such a great bloke.
Doesn’t quite add up.
BigMaul - have you bothered to look at what Farrell does for grassroots rugby? Can you remember the hand gestures following successful kicks? That's not for personal sponsorship - have a look - tell me he's a knob.
What is the highest level of sport you've ever played? Even at school the heat of the moment resulted in out of character behaviours. He simply wants to win for England and Saracens. He's not dirty but he clearly understands that you can influence a Ref's overview of the game especially at the scrum and breakdown.
You've never looked to put back a bonecrunching tackle on your opposite number with the coach screaming in your ear from touch??
Given his status, career and the fact he's England till he dies makes him a sporting hero.
Not a guy from whom you score cheap points.
BigMaul - one question my Super Rugby Fan - are you an England fan?
Because if you were - Farrell's tackle (ok, shoulder barge, no arms) on Devon Toner not 4yrds from the try line in the Six Nations is still one of the standout tackles on a guy a foot taller and 5 stone heavier I've ever seen. He can be a saucy little sod after that. And Luke Pearce was better when he stuck to his incisive refereeing and not since he's tried to add the Barnes/Owen - ”Go Away!! I'm reffing this game NOT you” attitude.
I still think Pearce is top 5, mind.
It totally “adds up”. Farrell was well within his rights to point out the repeated identical transgressions. Luke Pearce, albeit a very good ref, reacted truculently. Not his best moment, which he will reflect on. Farrell then politely responded.
Raised an issue calmly like a captain should, got a sarky response so stood his ground, again in a calm manner, to which the ref conceded was unnecessary.
All seems fine to me.
Er, Pearce accepted his point. So you are using an apparent misjudgement or mistake by someone else to continue your agenda against Farrell. So of course they keep piling up. If it doesn't exist you will just invent it!
If that was Nigel Owens it would be up on his highlights reels