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Headache for Exeter as RFU charge Jack Nowell for tweeting criticism
England international Jack Nowell potentially faces missing the upcoming Heineken Champions Cup semi-final in France versus La Rochelle after the RFU charged him with conduct allegedly prejudicial to the interests of rugby.
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Nowell didn’t play in last Sunday’s 62-19 defeat for Exeter in the Gallagher Premiership at Leicester, a match that featured the much-debated sending-off for Chiefs winger Olly Woodburn just minutes into the second half.
Referee Karl Dickson adjudged Woodburn to have committed a yellow card offence when he slid into Chris Ashton after the Leicester player dived for the try line and was tackled by Stuart Hogg.
The official decided that Woodburn’s actions merited a yellow card and the awarding of a penalty try to Leicester. It also meant that Woodburn was sent off as it was his second yellow card of the match.
Nowell and two Exeter teammates who were also not involved in the game – fellow England internationals Luke Cowan-Dickie and Henry Slade – vented their feelings.
Cowan-Dickie tweeted that “rugby had lost the plot”, while Slade said “I have no words”, but Nowell criticised Dickson in a since-deleted tweet: “I’m actually in shock, like shock shocked. What the hell is happening? That’s one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen. EVER”.
Nowell also retweeted a comment by Rob Kitson, the long-serving Guardian rugby journalist, who wrote: “That Woodburn decision perfectly sums up the disciplinary quicksand into which rugby has sunk. Punishment does not remotely fit the ‘crime’, imho.”
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The tweet didn’t go down well with the authorities and Nowell now has a disciplinary case to answer.
An RFU statement read: “Jack Nowell, Exeter Chiefs, has been charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and the game under RFU rule 5.12 for tweeted criticism of the referee’s decision in the Leicester Tigers vs Exeter Chiefs match on April 16 to his 61,000-plus followers.
“The case will be heard tomorrow evening [Wednesday] by an independent disciplinary panel chaired by Matthew O’Grady sitting with Martyn Wood and Guy Lovgreen.”
Exeter take on La Rochelle in Bordeaux on April 30 following this Saturday’s home game in the league versus Bristol.
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Olly Woodburn gets a 2nd yellow and is sent off on a ? for… well, take a look:
? @btsportrugby | #LEIvEXE pic.twitter.com/gTmOs7a8gU
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 16, 2023
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments