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Clermont Auvergne 24-7 Northampton
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Saints stay pointless in European Champions Cup Pool 2
Referee Ben Whitehouse found himself the centre of attention on an uncomfortable number of occasions in front of a raucous Stade Marcel-Michelin.
The 27-year-old Welshman will not enjoy his performance much more when he reviews those big calls.
Even England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler weighed in.
Terrible performance from this bloke. Tough day at the office. Won’t be at the top table for a while after this. 😳
— Joe Marler (@JoeMarler) October 21, 2017
Fussy over the set-piece scrum, he ruled out a Northampton try in the first half for a knock-on when Courtney Lawes seemed to legitimately dislodge the ball from Cassang’s grasp for Dylan Hartley to pounce.
Five minutes later, Hartley was then shown a harsh yellow as his outstretched arm accidentally caught Rabah Slimani in the face.
Clermont also had cause for complaint when replays showed Day’s foot had been out of play shortly before he scored Saints’ only try.
Most worrying, however, was Whitehouse’s decision to allow Morgan Parra to return to the action after the official believed he had been knocked unconscious in an attempted tackle on Luther Burrell.
OTHER SOCIAL REACTION:
I know that there was a time before Ben Whitehouse starting talking, but I’m struggling to remember it.
— Blood & Mud (@bloodandmud) October 21, 2017
I feel a bit sorry for Ben Whitehouse in this game.
Lots going on.
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) October 21, 2017
@Nigelrefowens can you take Ben Whitehouse under your wing. Hard to think of a worse refereeing performance!! #CLEvNOR
— Mark Jessop (@Je55op) October 21, 2017
Can Ben Whitehouse be subbed off?
Ruining what should be a great days of #ChampionsCup rugby #toomuchego
— In At The Side (@Inattheside) October 21, 2017
I think Ben Whitehouse might have had better days.
— Alastair Eykyn (@alastaireykyn) October 21, 2017
When ‘Whitehouse’ & ‘Embarrassing’ are trending and it’s nothing to do with Donald Trump it tells what type of game Ben Whitehouse is having
— Ricky Harries (@RickyHarries) October 21, 2017
Ben Whitehouse is actually trending😂😂😂.
Best refs are the ones whose names you forget post-game. pic.twitter.com/VBU2WGWa3b
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) October 21, 2017