Danny Cipriani has come to the defense of Owen Farrell’s dramatic fall during Saracens’ victory over Harlequins over the weekend.
The England and Saracens captain was legitimately struck by Luke Northmore, but it was the location of impact and subsequent response that has prompted discussion
One fan wrote: “Owen Farrell’s football dive,”
A second commented: “Yes that is a card, but Owen Farrell has absolutely milked that. Embarrassing.”
Another said: “Owen Farrell gone down like a footballer there. Embarrassing,”
However, defending Farrell, former England international Cipriani wrote on Twitter: “If we use rugby to pretend we are better than everyone else and en force a moral compass.
“Our sport will crumble. It is a game. It is theatre.
“When footballers go down it’s all part of the action. Let’s stop judging and start enjoying.”
Owen Farrell dive:
Worst dives of 2023 includes Johnny Sexton and Liam Williams
#1. Johnny Sexton (Wales vs Ireland)
The yellow card given to Liam Williams for making contact with the head of Ireland’s playmaker Sexton during their Six Nations clash sparked controversy on the internet.
eacting to the incident, one fan wrote: “Sexton play acted a head injury. Blatant cheating.”
A second wrote: “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: “Sexton winks after getting another fellow professional a card by his simulation of injury and as always gets up to take the resulting penalty. This will destroy the spectacle that is International rugby.”
A fourth said: “Another football injury/tactic from Johnny Sexton. He does it too many times.”