Owens hits back at France boss claims
KEN Owens has dismissed France boss Fabian Galthie’s comments as “ridiculous” in the wake of Wales’s heartbreaking 32-30 defeat in Paris.
Les Bleus denied Wayne Pivac’s side a Grand Slam on Saturday and kept their own title hopes alive with a game against Scotland remaining.
They finished the job with 14 men after Paul Willemse was shown a red card in the 67th minute for making contact with Wyn Jones’s eye at a ruck.
The incident was missed by referee Luke Pearce, who was alerted to it by television match official Wayne Barnes.
After the match, Galthie launched an astonishing attack on Wales, saying: “You see the way the Welsh are specialists in red cards, and can specialise in opposition red cards.
“They play their part, the Welsh body language. I hope the officials decide that this sanction is not necessary for Paul Willemse.”
But Wales hooker Owens was having none of the suggestion that Wales players look to get opponents their marching orders.
“Well, all I can do is defend my teammates and say one thing we don’t do on the field is to actively try to get opposition players sent off,” said the Scarlets skipper.
“It’s a little bit ridiculous if I’m being honest because it’s something we don’t look to do. He may have his opinions – that’s up to Fabien.”
After the match, head coach Pivac and captain Alun Wyn Jones refused to be drawn on the comments.
Willemse’s red card was the third one Wales’s opponents have received in this Six Nations.
In the opening round, Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony got one for a dangerous clearout on Tomas Francis. Then Scotland’s Zander Fagerson left the field for a similar incident which again involved loose-head prop Jones. In both instances, direct contact was made to the head.