Wayne Barnes took no prisoners dealing with Stade Francais' Tolu Latu following the exchange of words that followed a penalty against him.
The popular referee, who famously sent off Dylan Hartley for swearing in the Premiership final, was in no mood for any backchat once again.
Barnes: That's my decision. He's looked at me and said 'fucking hell.'
Stade Player: He spoke French? He never said that probably.
Barnes: He's then looked and me and said, 'I got the fucking ball.' Very clearly. Very much at me. Yellow card, red card.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Rugby 22: New Exclusive Gameplay Trailer Revealed
- TRANSFER: Zach Mercer set for Gallagher Premiership return
- Sam Underhill ruled out of Six Nations after horror injury
- Joe Marler ‘lucky’ not to see red for deliberate stamp
- A second Champions Cup game has been cancelled
- Here Are The Hardest Hitters In Rugby Union History
Barnes & Owens expose the five worst players to referee
#1. Wayne Barnes - Martin Johnson
The lock will always be remembered as the man presented with the 2003 World Cup, which England won in Sydney. As well as being an inspirational leader, the Leicester lock was also a formidable player in his own right. A rock like presence in the tight, whose rugby motto was if in doubt, go forward.
BARNES SAID: “I was always petrified of Martin Johnson because he was coming to the end of his career when I started in the Premiership." said Barnes.
“2003 was my first [season] and obviously that was towards the end of his career and I remember I had to sin-bin him once and I actually apologised as I did it.
“I said ‘I’m very sorry I have to do this’ because he’s such a big personality. I guess he was always someone who scared me witless!”
DID YOU KNOW? he comes from a sporting family. His great-grandfather was a wrestler
#2. Nigel Owens - Austin Healey
Owens said: “Definitely Healey. I only caught him towards the end of his career, thankfully.
"A wonderfully talented player and a very good pundit now, but he always had plenty say and quickly assumed I didn’t like him.
"He’s actually blocked me on Twitter, but I don’t think I’m the only one.”
#3. Owens - Joe Marler
#1. Joe Marler (England)
Owens said: "He was always a funny one on the field in nice way. You'd be trying to tell him something serious and he'd just want to have a laugh and a joke. He'd wink at you on the middle of a serious telling off."
Joe Marler of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#4. Barnes - Andy Goode (England)
BARNES SAID: "He always made me smile as he made me look athletic when we were on the same pitch. However, the humorous players always keep you on your toes and if they get opportunity to pick you up on a slight faux pas, they will.
"I once mentioned to Andy Goode that him and his team mates were all appealing for far too many decisions and told him that it sounded like there were 15 referees on the pitch. “And you’re not even in the top 10” was his reply."
DID YOU KNOW? Goode had an 18-year professional career playing over 400 games and scoring over 4,000 points
#5. Owens - Dan Biggar (Wales)
Owens said: "Oh god yes, Biggar can be a tricky customer on the field.
"He's so focused and so passionate about what he's doing no matter the game or occasion, we've had a few run ins on the pitch down the years.
"I mean, it's always been in a respectful way and we always have a drink and a laugh after the game."
