Wales coach Warren Gatland has called out Dan Biggar after the Wales fly-half almost came to blows with Owen Farrell after the England captain was sent off at Twickenham.
On Saturday, Farrell made history as the inaugural English player to have a yellow card turned into a red card through the newly implemented ‘Bunker’ review system.
This decision came after a high tackle on Taine Basham.
“Owen Farrell is facing a crossroads in his career. It feels like time is running out for him to fix his tackle technique because it could end up being really costly for him and for England,” wrote Gatland in his column for the Telegraph.
“The problem is that at times he goes into contact too upright, and in reviewing his hit on Taine Basham on Saturday night, I have no doubt it was a red card.”
Gatland added: “The incident caused a bit of anger within our playing group,
“But Dan Biggar’s reaction in confronting Owen after the tackle disappointed me. Dan is one of our most experienced players and in that moment, you wanted him to be calm and relaxed.
“I know he said to the players that if we kept our discipline and not give away any penalties, we would win the game.
“Dan is such a competitor which is what drives him and what has made him such an important player for Wales over the years. But engaging and confronting Owen led to a bit of a scuffle was the last thing we wanted.
It would have sent mixed messages to our younger players. In big moments like that you want your most experienced players to show leadership and calmness and deliver messages about what we do from here and how we are going to take control.”
Biggar comments on incident:
“I’ve got no issue with Owen – we’ve been team-mates with the Lions – but he made it personal by coming at me in the second half at Twickenham,” wrote Biggar in his column for the Mail Online.
“‘Stop complaining,’ was what Farrell said in my direction, just after he’d hit Taine Basham high. I thought it was a clear red card and was just airing my view.”
“I told Farrell that people are allowed to have a go at him. He’s not above everyone else. Owen is such a competitive guy, just like I am, and it was a heat-of-the-moment incident.
“I was very surprised Farrell and Freddie Steward weren’t sent off immediately. Both were given yellow cards, but Owen’s was upgraded to a red by the new television bunker system.
“That will mean he’s likely to get a ban, one which could rule him out of the start of England’s World Cup campaign. As much as we went head-to-head at Twickenham, the World Cup will be all the poorer if Owen is forced to be on the sidelines. It will be a big blow to England.”
Five most hated rugby players, named and ranked:
We have curated a compilation of individuals who, through their actions on and off the field, have acquired a regrettable reputation within the game. Their notoriety extends beyond specific fan bases or clubs; it encompasses the entire rugby community.
#5. Dan Biggar (Wales)
Amusingly, Biggar epitomizes the kind of player who manages to invoke strong dislike until he becomes a part of your own team.
Over the course of his career, this fly-half has exhibited a growing penchant for passionately berating referees.
This behavior has reached such heights that Glove39, a renowned online personality and unwavering fan of Scotland, cleverly crafted a video titled ‘birdman.’
In this video, Glove39 humorously mimicked Biggar’s habitual arm-raising expression of frustration directed at officials.