Nigel would have red-carded bad actor

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Former Test referee Nigel Owens says he would have sent off Racing 92 scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec for his theatrics against Perpignan in a French Top 14 match.

Racing were trailing 28-17 with 10 minutes to go when Le Garrec was bumped by Perpignan prop Bruce Devaux at a breakdown.

The scrumhalf reeled backwards, clutching his face, and fell to the ground in front of the referee.

Calls have been made for Le Garrec to be punished for his soccer-like behaviour.

“He is lucky I wasn’t refin or he would have had a straight red no hesitation,” Owens said on X.

Owens called out simulation during a 2015 World Cup match at St James’ Park when Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg claimed to have been taken out by Bok prop Tendai Mtawarira after kicking the ball.

The referee told Hogg: “I was looking at it, he was committed in the air. There’s nothing wrong with it. Dive like that again and come back here in two weeks and play; not today. Watch it.”

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