100 SHAMBOLIC MINUTES THAT STUNNED RUGBY
AGONY FOR WALES AS FRANCE TAKE CONTROVERSIAL 20-18 VICTORY IN EXTRAORDINARY PARIS FINALE
WALES coach Rob Howley accused France of bringing the integrity of rugby into disrepute after one of the most amazing matches in the history of the Six Nations.
Les Blues beat Howley’s team 2018 in Paris in a game that stretched to close on 100 minutes, with home forward Damien Chouly crossing for a final-play try that Camille Lopez converted to break Welsh hearts.
But then the allegations started flying thick and fast, with Wales not only suggesting that George North had been bitten but that France had gone outside the rules to replace prop Uini Atonio in the chaotic final minutes for tactical reasons rather than because he was injured.
Replacement Atonio was subbed with France having an attacking scrum just metres from the visitors’ line.
Wales claim one of the French coaches had gone outside the technical area and had a word with a doctor who then took to the field to withdraw the prop for a head injury assessment, even though Atonio had apparently been complaining of a sore back just seconds earlier.
“There’s evidence to suggest the integrity of the game has been brought into disrepute,” said Howley, pictured inset.
“What happened in the last 10 minutes of that game, shouldn’t ever happen again on an international rugby field. There is a technical area and you’re not allowed outside that technical area.
“Someone has come outside and the doctor has gone onto the field at a break in play.
“That’s outside the laws of the game.
“In between, you can hear the referee Wayne Barnes ask Atonio if he’s injured and the player says: ‘I’ve got a sore back, I’m OK and then the doctor comes on and the player goes off’.
“The process leading up to the change of the French tighthead, the way that occurred, we love our game too much to have those decisions. It’s hugely disappointing.”
Howley made representations on the matter after the game to a member of the Six Nations committee.
And as the game reached boiling point, North claimed he’d been bitten.
“The evidence suggests there is a bite,” said Howley.
“The referee only had one angle. I haven’t seen any other angles so unfortunately it’s inconclusive and you move on.”
Asked for his version on the Atonio incident, France coach Guy Noves said: “The medics told me he was injured, so I had to take my responsibilities as a coach.
“If you look, Wales also replaced players. I don’t really know what the injury is. The players want to enjoy this victory and then we will have a medical check-up. I hope the injury is not too serious.”
Responding to the allegations North had been bitten, Noves bizarrely responded: “I can bite myself and if I do that, I will have a bite mark.”