Michael Cheika has hit out at Premiership final officials for sin-binning veteran Leicester prop Dan Cole, calling the decision “an embarrassment to the game”.
The departing Leicester coach launched a scathing attack on match officials after Cole was yellow-carded in a 23–21 Premiership final defeat to Bath.
Speaking after the loss at Twickenham, Cheika was left furious over a series of calls — particularly the sin-binning of Cole, the England centurion who was playing his final match before retirement.
“For me personally, if the game is sending players to the sin bin for that, or even penalising [them]… What do I say, mate?” said Cheika. “If I say something, I’ll get myself in strife and take away from the champion team.”
Nightmare for Dan Cole! 😐
The prop receives a yellow in his final game which could be his final act…#GallagherPremFinal pic.twitter.com/SnVRx6guzw
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) June 14, 2025
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Cole had only been on the pitch a few minutes when he was penalised for a late charge-down attempt on Finn Russell. Replays showed contact with the flyhalf’s head, but Cheika defended the veteran prop’s intent and effort.
“I just have to beat myself up inside and try and keep as much as I can inside,” said Cheika. “I’ve got my feelings on the referee’s performance but I’ll take that up with Paul Hull as one last final… banter, let’s say.”
Leicester outscored Bath three tries to two but couldn’t convert their dominance into a title, with Cheika singling out the officiating around the scrum.
“I’ve never seen it before in my life, dominating like that and getting nothing, zero. In fact, getting penalised against!”
Cheika, who departs Leicester after one season in charge, said he was proud of his players’ effort despite the result, but made no attempt to hide his frustration with the officiating.
Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images
