Wayne Barnes has experienced numerous contentious rugby moments throughout his career.
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Despite not officiating in last season’s Champions Cup final, where Johnny Sexton exchanged heated words with referee Jaco Peyper and his team after the match, Barnes has expressed strong views on the incident in his autobiography titled ‘Throwing the Book’.
He began: “Further evidence that the authorities don’t have referees’ backs, and seem to be making stuff up as they go along, was the incident between Johnny Sexton and Jaco Peyper after the 2023 Champions Cup final, which La Rochelle won against Leinster.
“Leinster’s Sexton, who didn’t play because he was injured, walked on to the pitch and abused Jaco and his touch judges, Karl Dickson and Christophe Ridley. You could clearly see him letting rip as Jaco was on the podium receiving his medal, and you didn’t need to be a lip reader to know that was he was saying wasn’t very pleasant, to put it mildly.”
“So when asked, Jaco and his team said they didn’t hear anything,” Barnes continued.
“European Rugby didn’t believe them, but Jaco and his team weren’t prepared to put their names to any statements because they weren’t confident that European Rugby would protect them.
“European Rugby promised them their names wouldn’t be mentioned and said it would write a statement on their behalf (you’d be ripped apart in the criminal justice system for doing that), but when the time came to prosecute Sexton, their names and quotes were all over the transcripts of the judgement. (For the record, Sexton got a three-match ban, making him available for Ireland’s opening World Cup game.) As you can imagine, Jaco and his team felt let down, and I don’t blame them.”
American website ranks the 100 best rugby players in the world, Owen Farrell 32nd
England’s rugby players are making waves across the international rankings, demonstrating their diverse talents across the field. Despite the absence of Maro Itoje, several English stars have earned their places.
Alex Mitchell, a skilled scrumhalf, ranks 96th, showcasing his tactical acumen. George Furbank, versatile in multiple backline roles, follows closely at 93rd. Marcus Smith, a dynamic flyhalf, impresses at 82nd, while Immanuel Feyi-Waboso brings speed and skill at 81st.
In the forwards, Jamie George, known for his set-piece prowess, stands at 68th. Jack Willis, a formidable backrower with a knack for turnovers, holds the 49th spot, and Ben Earl, another versatile backrower, ranks 15th, highlighting England’s depth and strength across different positions.
Check out their full list here:
100. Uini Antonio – France – Prop
99. Dewi Lake – Wales – Hooker
98. UJ Seuteni – Samoa – Centre
97. Tom Wright – Australia – Fullback
96. Alex Mitchell – England – Scrumhalf
95. Jac Morgan – Wales – Backrow
94. Fletcher Newell – New Zealand
93. George Furbank – England – Utility Back
92. Duhan van der Merwe – Scotland – Winger
91. Zander Fagerson – Scotland – Prop
90. Louis Bielle-Biarrey – France – Winger
89. Julian Marchand – France – Hooker
88. Jack Conan – Ireland – Backrow
87. Michelle Lamaro – Italy – Backrow
86. Ronan Kelleher – Ireland – Hooker
85. Manie Libbok – South Africa – Flyhalf
84. Steven Kitshoff – South Africa – Prop
83. Rory Darge – Scotland – Backrow
82. Marcus Smith – England – Flyhalf
81. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – England – Winger
80. Tommy Reffell – Wales – Backrow
79. Ben Tameifuna – Tonga – Prop
78. Charles Ollivon – France – Backrow
77. Paolo Garbisi – Italy – Flyhalf
76. Sevu Reece – New Zealand – Winger