Negri explains Six Nations bust-up with England skipper Farrell

Italy back-rower Sebastian Negri has shed light on his recent fight with England skipper Owen Farrell at Twickenham. The pair clashed in the second half of last month’s Guinness Six Nations match and the hit from the Italian left Farrell feeling very aggrieved, so much so that 13 days later Negri spotted a family member of Farrell’s accusingly pointing at him following Ireland’s win over the Italians in Rome.

With the 2023 Six Nations championship having since finished last Saturday with Ireland clinching the title with a win over England, Negri made a guest appearance on the latest episode of RugbyPass Offload and he recounted his bust-up with Farrell and what then happened a fortnight later when Italy played Ireland, the team coached by Farrell’s father Andy.

Asked about the dominant hit incident that folded Farrell in two just milliseconds after the England player had passed the ball to Freddie Steward, Negri explained: “At half-time, we talked about getting a bit more physical and getting into the battle a bit more and I thought the only way I am going to do it is if I try and write someone off or try and put in a big hit just to sort of galvanise the boys.

“I saw Farrell taking it to the line and I was, ‘Right, whether he passes this or not I am going to try and floor him’. Then I just put my hand on his face; I was so gassed I couldn’t get up properly. And you play at Twickenham, that grass is so slippery that I couldn’t get up. There was nothing in it, genuine.

“But it was funny, we played against Ireland the next game and his dad coaches them and all his family were watching. I walked in after the game where they do the post-match function and I saw the whole family and there was someone pointing at me going, ‘That’s the bloke that did that to Owen’.

“I’m like basically walking past them going, ‘Yes, it is me and I speak English, that is my first language’. But there was nothing in it, I have nothing against him or anyone. I just wanted to galvanise the boys and put in a big shot. Most of the time I get knocked over, so it was good to do it.”