Back in 2015, Welsh referee Nigel Owens makes it crystal clear to Scotland's Stuart Hogg during their game against South Africa that if he "Dives like that again, come back here in two weeks and play, not today"
“Creeping in” – Worst dives of 2023 includes Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell
There's a saying that suggests footballers spend most of the game feigning injury, while rugby players spend the entirety of the match acting as if they're unharmed.
Rugby union has become a progressively more grueling and punishing sport, and athletes are now delivering harder hits than ever before. It's a rugged game played by resilient individuals.
Nevertheless, in recent weeks, there has been a growing number of instances of players diving in professional rugby. This doesn't necessarily imply that it is rampant or widespread, but it's evident that it has surfaced more frequently than before.
#1. Owen Farrell (Saracens vs Harlequins)
An Owen Farrell dive was one of the only low points on a fantastic day of rugby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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,”
Owen Farrell dive:
#2. 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.”
Wink from Sexton:
#3. Damien Penaud (France vs Wales)
The France winger was universally slammed after he took a ‘dive’ against Wales in the final round of the 2023 Six Nations.
One fan wrote: “Get up, Penaud. If you want to dive like that, go to the Parc des Princes. Berk.”
A second commented: "Pathetic from Penaud,"
Another said: "That is embarrassing from Penaud,"
A fourth wrote: "Penaud is a fantastic player. Made himself look like a massive fanny there. Twat."
Damien Penaud dive:
#4. Liam Williams (Wales vs Ireland)
The Wales fullback hit the deck pretty dramatically after the littlest of contact from Ireland lock Iain Henderson.
One fan wrote: "Liam Williams going for a career change in acting."
Another said: "Liam Williams.... I've seen better acting on stage!"
A third wrote: "Liam Williams been hanging out with footballers?"
"For a hard man ex-scaffolder - Liam Williams folded himself up like a deckchair at the slightest of touches. What a dirty diving cheat!!!" commented a fourth.
Another said: "Can somebody tell Liam Williams it’s not soccer he’s playing. Gobshite"
