Top referee Nigel Owens has revealed he’s had conversations with England captain Owen Farrell over improving his tackling technique.
“What referees will look at is, if you’re going to make a tackle and your arm is down to your side, pointing down or backwards, then there is no way you’re making a legal tackle,” explained Owens during a live recording of The Welsh Rugby Podcast.
Brilliant Conversation Between Nigel Owens & Owen Farrell Picked Up On Ref Mic https://t.co/KzF9OvXgVl
— RugbyLAD (@RugbyLAD7) February 11, 2019
“If you hit with the shoulder and your arm is back, that’s an illegal tackle.
“I’ve had a good chat with Owen (Farrell) a couple of times before games discussing this,” said the Welsh referee.
Im the same interview he revealed he has huge regard for Farrell and views him as one of the most respectful captains to deal with.
“He (Farrell) says to me: ‘Well, how am I supposed tackle?’
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“Well, not like that. You need to wrap the arms and he explained that he was trying to get down, to get the power in and dislodge the ball and stuff like that.
“I’ve said to him: ‘I appreciate what you’re trying to do but if you get it wrong you’re going to be in trouble’.
“When your shoulder hits, your arms [must] wrap instantly after.”
Owen Farrell facts:
1. He started off in Rugby League
His education began in rugby league – he joined Wigan St Patricks at the age of eight.
2. School days
It’s well known that the Saracens star went to school with England teammate George Ford, however, it’s less well known that he went onto study Business at Hertfordshire University.
3. Celebration
Farrell celebrates every point he scores by linking his index fingers together to make a ‘JJ’ sign, the Joining Jack salute, Joining Jack being a charity dedicated to the needs of sufferers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.[ Farrell is also a patron for Duchenne muscular dystrophy charity Duchenne UK.
