'You've got to give us time to set' - Farrell furious as on-field ref row erupts over controversial Josh Adams try

A controversial try for Wales wing Adams saw Owen Farrell and referee Pascal Gaüzère locked in a verbal argument in the Six Nations, with the England captain claiming his side hadn’t been given time to re-set with a waterboy on the field.

Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar spotted England breaking for a water break, kicked a pin-point kick to winger Adams, who dotted down in the corner despite the best efforts of George Ford.

Farrell was clearly irate at the decision to allow play on and marched over the referee to remonstrate, telling Gauzere: “You’ve got to give us time to set!”

RugbyPass Offload Episode 18 – Nigel Owens, Zeebo and Ryan on Red Cards, Career Highlights, Regrets and Viral hit‪s‬

RugbyPass Offload Episode 18 – Nigel Owens, Zeebo and Ryan on Red Cards, Career Highlights, Regrets and Viral hit‪s‬

??????? Wales couldn't have asked for a better start! ?

Thoughts? #GuinnessSixNations #WALvENG pic.twitter.com/zThws0HGi6

— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 27, 2021

The referee wasn’t about to review the try, sticking with his on-field decision despite the Saracens’ remonstrations.

The incident split social media, with some agreeing with Farrell and others enjoying his frustration.

Time Cocker wrote: “Ref: Time off please. Now captain, I want you to go and talk to your team about their discipline… Also, whilst you’re in a huddle doing what I asked you to do, I will restart play without warning”.

Ref:

"Time off please. Now captain, I want you to go and talk to your team about their discipline…

Also, whilst you're in a huddle doing what I asked you to do, I will restart play without warning".

???? #WALvENG

— Tim Cocker (@cocker) February 27, 2021

“Dear me. England will not be happy with either Welsh try. Wonder how long Owen Farrell can control himself? Nothing going their way so far,” wrote Ian Stafford.

Dear me. England will not be happy with either Welsh try. Wonder how long Owen Farrell can control himself? Nothing going their way so far. #WALvENG #SixNationsRugby

— Ian Stafford ? (@IanStaffs) February 27, 2021

Ugo Monye said: “Players and coaches take criticism, fair game… The level of officiating in this 1st half is actually disgraceful.”

https://twitter.com/ugomonye/status/1365714188140744704

This is some ridiculous refereeing. England are getting ridden by some awful decisions. That’s a clear knock-on #WALvENG

— Karl Brophy (@KarlBrophy) February 27, 2021

Oooft Owen Farrell not happy there! That was such an easy easy try for Wales, and to be fair I think I’d feel hard done by if I were England there #WALvENG

— Ramsay ? (@Ram5y) February 27, 2021

https://twitter.com/Jbeardmore/status/1365710127836364801

Good to see Owen Farrell listened to what Nigel Owen said about being cheeky to referees… oh wait ???? #WALvENG

— Simon Patterson (@denkmit) February 27, 2021

https://twitter.com/NoNotNiall/status/1365710222292111361

Wales get the opening try! ???????

Owen Farrell is NOT happy! ?

Biggar took a quick kick while Farrell was still talking to his England teammates after instructions from the referee.#WALvENG #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/3K7fjqWj20

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 27, 2021

https://twitter.com/BFitzTweets/status/1365710645249925129

Karl Brophy wrote: “This is some ridiculous refereeing. England are getting ridden by some awful decisions. That’s a clear knock-on.”

This is some ridiculous refereeing. England are getting ridden by some awful decisions. That’s a clear knock-on #WALvENG

— Karl Brophy (@KarlBrophy) February 27, 2021

It’s a fixture that rarely fails to deliver on drama, and so it is proving once again.