Standard of refereeing brought into question after Romain Poite's 'worst game ever' in Glasgow

Exeter’s thrilling 31-all draw at Scotstoun ended on a high when Stuart Hogg’s 60-metre last gasp penalty kick hit the crossbar, coming so close to snatching an away win.

The match was a great spectacle but had fans infuriated by the standard of refereeing from Romain Poite, who was described as having his ‘worst game ever’.

Fans from both sides were critical of the French ref, but those from Glasgow took exception, calling his performance ‘utter gash’ from an ‘absolute cowboy’.

He was labeled ‘easily the worst ref in rugby’ and a ‘disgrace’.

What a @GlasgowWarriors game today. Boys were firing again; playing exciting and entertaining rugby to watch. Chiefs did a pretty decent job of playing the ref. and Poite was true to form: utter gash. Would've been amazing to have been at Scotstoun, for it though. #GLAvEXE

— Simon (@Simurnie) January 11, 2020

Poite was terrible (again). @Glasgowwarriors should have been down to 14. Not sure the benefit to Exeter of free kicks for infringements at their own line out?!! #glavexe

— steve kesterton (@steviekes74) January 11, 2020

https://twitter.com/DougallChops/status/1216052294569091073

https://twitter.com/Simontaylor66/status/1216039331015643137

https://twitter.com/wattersk10/status/1216036598841823233

Dear of dear, Poite's worst game ever??#GLAvEXE

— John 'Max' Maxwell (@RuckinRugby) January 11, 2020

https://twitter.com/briever1/status/1216050218275430400

@ChampionsCup Romaine Poite should be fired and never allowed to referee ever again. Atrocious, if he’s not fired I’d at least hope he is sent to some sort of referee training camp of qualification scheme. It is shameful to have such poor standard of refereeing. #GLAvEXE

— Kyle Steyn no1 fan worldwide 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇳🇿 (@WeeDarcyMarryMe) January 11, 2020

https://twitter.com/bxlalgbxl/status/1216043640520310790

Doesn't seem to matter what game Romain Poite referees but there is always some kinda controversy or missed decisions #GLAvEXE #ERC #EuropeanRugbyChampions

— Gordon 🥃 (@Tuilalcaron) January 11, 2020

Referee Poite, his TMO and his TJs are having a mare …. missing so much #GLAvEXE

— Steve (@charliewasp) January 11, 2020

https://twitter.com/CxitlinTweets/status/1216037162329812993

https://twitter.com/DougallChops/status/1216035077441949696

Farce of a decision from Poite. Gibbons should be gone for good. Citing commissioner will be preparing his report as we speak. #GLAvEXE

— Ross Barnett (@rbarnett08) January 11, 2020

Poite’s decisions included issuing a yellow card to Callum Gibbons for dangerously flying off-feet with a shoulder into the head an Exeter player at a ruck. The consensus from the commentary was that the incident deserved a red card.

The breakdown was a contentious area of the game that left fans confused as Poite’s leniency allowed questionable acts to commence.

Glasgow received another yellow card in the second half to hooker Fraser Brown, much to the confusion of Glasgow’s captain who couldn’t understand Poite’s explanation.

With 10 minutes remaining with the scores at 31-all Poite sent a referral to the TMO after a try to midfielder Sam Johnson that was called back for a forward pass but refused to look at possible double-movements on Exeter’s tries despite protests.

Poite famously came under fire two years in a clash between the same two sides in a Champions Cup fixture in 2018 for yellow carding Nic White and awarding a penalty try for a deliberate knockdown. White was attempting a tackle on Finn Russell at the time.

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