Statement: Newcastle Falcons boss handed HUGE BAN for referee comments

Friday, 11 April 2025 at 19:02

byRugby Rucker

Newcastle Falcons' consultant director of rugby, Steve Diamond, has been slapped with a six-match ban after launching a furious tirade at match officials following a controversial defeat to Exeter Chiefs.

– and his picks are bound to raise a few eyebrows.

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Final-Whistle Fury

The drama unfolded after Newcastle’s narrow 17-15 loss at Sandy Park on 29 March, where Exeter bagged a last-minute match-winning try. Diamond, incensed by the decision to award the score, stormed onto the pitch post-match and angrily confronted the officials.

RFU Comes Down Hard

The Rugby Football Union didn’t take the outburst lightly. Diamond was hauled before a three-person disciplinary panel and found guilty of behaviour "prejudicial to the interests of the game", a breach of RFU Rule 5.12.

The former Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors boss admitted the charge and will now be barred from any matchday involvement until an hour after full-time for the final five games of the season, plus the first friendly of the 2025/26 campaign.

"Wholly Unacceptable" Behaviour

Disciplinary panel chair Sam Hillas KC didn’t mince his words, calling Diamond’s actions “wholly unacceptable”.

“The language used was inappropriate, abusive and entirely contrary to rugby’s core values.
There is no place for abuse of match officials—whether in the professional or community game.”

Punishment Fits the Rant

The panel ultimately ruled that a six-match suspension was a "proportionate" response to Diamond’s conduct—sending a clear message that rugby’s respect for referees remains non-negotiable.

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Dan Biggar names bold Lions XV – with big England omissions

Wales legend Dan Biggar has officially called time on his playing career, but not before dropping a blockbuster British & Irish Lions XV on The Rugby Pod

The 112-cap fly-half, who steered Wales through some of their finest Six Nations and World Cup moments, appeared on Jim Hamilton’s podcast this week and revealed his Lions dream team. Spoiler alert: there's no room for the likes of Owen Farrell, Johnny Sexton, or even himself.

Here’s how Biggar’s team shaped up…

Front-row firepower: Porter, Sheehan & Furlong

1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong

It’s an all-Irish affair in the front row, with Biggar backing Leinster's dominant trio to boss the scrum. Furlong remains the Rolls-Royce of tightheads, while Sheehan and Porter provide dynamism in the loose.

Big boys in the boiler room: Itoje & Beirne

4. Maro Itoje
5. Tadhg Beirne

England’s Maro Itoje gets the nod despite some inconsistent recent form, with Biggar clearly still valuing his disruptive brilliance. He’s paired with the ever-reliable Beirne – a turnover machine and Lions Test starter in 2021.

Breakdown beasts: Curry, Van Der Flier & Doris (c)

6. Tom Curry
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (captain)

This back row is pure chaos – in the best possible way. England’s Tom Curry returns to the fray, Ireland’s Van der Flier adds World Player of the Year pedigree, and Doris, who’s fast becoming a modern-day great, takes the armband. A fearless choice.

Livewire half-backs: Gibson-Park & Russell

9. Jamison Gibson-Park
10. Finn Russell

Gone are the days of conservative Lions 9-10 combos. Biggar’s gone full jazz here. Gibson-Park brings the zip, and Russell… well, Russell brings the flair. The Scotland maestro’s creativity earns him the No.10 jersey over Biggar himself – no ego here.

Fire on the flanks: Lowe & Kinghorn

11. James Lowe
14. Blair Kinghorn

Two versatile Scots fill the wing slots, with Kinghorn’s blend of size and speed complementing Lowe’s relentless work rate and booming left boot. Biggar clearly values adaptability out wide – and a bit of flair never hurts.

Caledonian connection in midfield: Tuipulotu & Jones

12. Sione Tuipulotu
13. Huw Jones

The Glasgow Warriors pairing have formed one of the deadliest centre combos in rugby, and Biggar’s kept them together. It’s a bold call, but one based on form and synergy rather than reputation alone.

Rock-solid fullback: Hugo Keenan

15. Hugo Keenan

No surprise here – Keenan has been Ireland’s Mr Consistent, and Biggar trusts him to be the safety net at the back. His positioning, aerial ability and counter-attacks make him a nailed-on pick.

The bench: a mix of muscle and mischief

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Zander Fagerson, Ollie Chessum, Ben Earl, Jac Morgan, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith

It’s a stacked bench with serious impact. Genge and Fagerson bring brute force, while Earl and Morgan cover the back row with pace and punch. Marcus Smith adds some stardust, and Mitchell offers serious tempo at scrum-half.