‘YOU ARE NOT THE REF, OWEN!’ – BATH HOOKER’S RETORT TO FARRELL’S COMPLAINTS

Bath hooker Niall Annett and Saracens captain Owen Farrell did not pass up the opportunity to take a dig at one another during the Premiership clash at the Rec on Friday evening.

It was a feisty game between the two top-four placed sides as the battle for play-off places heats up.

Farrell and Annett spat

In the 30th minute of the match, Saracens were in danger of losing lock Maro Itoje to a red card when he made an upright tackle on Bath back-rower Alfie Barbeary.

Referee Luke Pearce judged that Itoje did not make direct contact with Barbeary’s head but Farrell was not convinced as he pleaded with the match official.

Farrell argued that it was ‘chest-on-chest’ contact but Pearce disagreed, stating that Itoje needs to go lower after issuing the yellow card to the England lock.

Owen Farrell magic steers Saracens to statement Premiership win at Bath

This is when Annett interjects, saying to Farrell: “Owen, you are not the ref; he is done, he is done.”

Farrell responded, “Ah shut up man,” before explaining that as captain he is allowed to talk to the officials: “Why you talking to him? I’m allowed to talk to him. Tell him.”

Annett was also seen waving off Farrell with the Sarries fly-half then walking before shooing off the Bath hooker as well.

It was a rather lighthearted exchange in the end with Farrell even having a good chuckle and a smile afterwards.

But Pearce did add to Annett: “I don’t need that, mate.”

Owen Farrell’s ‘magnificent influence’ hailed after Saracens’ narrow win over Bath

At the time of the incident and Itoje’s sin-binning, Saracens held a 5-0 advantage and would extend that lead through Rotimi Segun with Farrell adding the extras.

Bath fought back through tries from Thomas du Toit and Cameron Redpath but a late penalty from Farrell would seal the result for Saracens as they claimed a hard-fought 15-12 victory.

2024-04-27T14:18:22Z dg43tfdfdgfd