'Ridiculous call' - Ireland fans not impressed by 'strange' Nigel Owen's TMO intervention

Ireland fans weren’t particularly impressed with Nigel Owens’ performance as a TMO during England and Ireland’s clash at Twickenham, with one ‘strange call’ in particular rousing the ire of the green army.

Eddie Jones’ England ran out convincing winners – with an 18 – 7 scoreline flattering the visitors. A late Jacob Stockdale aside, Ireland failed to really threaten the home side for much of the 80 minutes, but it was a call TMO Owens that got under the skin of some Irish fans.

Owens alerted referee Pascal Gauzere to an infringement by Ireland lock Quinn Roux, after the big South African born forward appeared to swing England’s Tom Curry out of ruck by the neck. It was a minor enough incident – a technical infringement certainly – but one that not so long ago would have been seen as part and parcel of the game.

None-the-less, it was blown up as a penalty, but it was enough to upset some Irish fans and a few pundits, with many annoyed that a very similar infringement a few minutes previously by England hooker Jamie George was called up.

“Ireland 4 grabs England 7 around the neck,” wrote journalist Pat McCarry. “Needless but tame enough from Roux. Still, where was Nigel Owens when Jamie George locked in a choke-hold on Keenan?!”

"Ireland 4 grabs England 7 around the neck"

Needless but tame enough from Roux.
Still, where was Nigel Owens when Jamie George locked in a choke-hold on Keenan?!

— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) November 21, 2020

“What a ridiculous call by Nigel Owens to give that against Quinn Roux but not penalise Jamie George in the first half.”

What a ridiculous call by Nigel Owens to give that against Quinn Roux but not penalise Jamie George in the first half. #ENGvIRE

— Tadhg O'Ferrall (@tadhgof) November 21, 2020

“Totally ridiculous interference from Nigel Owens. It was round the body not neck,” said another.

Totally rediculous interference from Nigel Owens . It was round the body not neck.

— Huw Scarlet (@huwscarlet) November 21, 2020

And there were more in that vein:

Nigel Owens give me a break! What has the world come to, that you’re pulling a game back 40 m for something like that!! #ENGvIRE

— robbie burns ?? (@burnsychappy) November 21, 2020

Weakest penalty in the history of rugby. Nigel Owens just wanting his allocated slot of attention. #ENGvIRE

— Tim Callaghan (@checkers340) November 21, 2020

Shoulder charge by England missed again. Can anyone please wake Nigel Owens up please? #ENGvIRE

— Sir Lord Walk 4 EU #ToriesOut (@OrdinaryWalks) November 21, 2020

There’s was also some frustration regarding the length of time it took for Owens to adjudge an attempting grounding of the ball by Chris Farrell to have not touched the line.

Nigel Owens trying to work out how he can award Ireland the try here.. even though it clearly wasn't even close … #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/KrAuEwTzkt

— Ju P ? (@Schmoo1408) November 21, 2020

https://twitter.com/DarraghKellypr/status/1330189298314989569

Owens is set to hang up his boots and while he had some critics today, he’s still by some distance rugby’s most well-known, well-liked and arguably the best official in the business.

Too many 4s and 5s here with Ireland's attack toothless#ENGvIRE #AutumnNationsCuphttps://t.co/PaZldZEkAo

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 21, 2020