Nigel Owens Backs Penalty Call in Six Nations Clash Involving Dan Sheehan

Former referee Nigel Owens has confirmed that Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan was correctly penalised for attempting to dive over Italy’s defence during their Six Nations match. The incident occurred during the round two fixture last weekend.

The Incident and the Ruling

Sheehan attempted a quick tap five metres from the Italian try-line, launching himself over the Azzurri defence. Yet, Italian players, including Simone Ferrari, reacted quickly, driving him backwards. Referee Hollie Davidson immediately penalised Sheehan for his actions.

The call sparked debate due to the grey area surrounding players jumping in try-scoring situations versus diving to avoid tackles. Owens clarified the distinction on World Rugby’s Whistle Watch show.

“First up, seven minutes in Dan Sheehan’s penalty for diving into contact. We’ve seen it before, haven’t we?”

Alex Cuthbert

“Yeah, we have and then a ruling came out regarding it, actually,”

Nigel Owens

Owens explained that diving to score a try is permissible, but diving to avoid a tackle is not.

“If you’re diving in the act of scoring a try, so like you on the wing when you go diving the corner, that’s fine. Now, what you can’t do is dive to avoid being tackled. So, you’re not actually diving for the line. You’re diving to avoid the tackle and then carry on to get over the line – that is not allowed.”

Nigel Owens

He further noted that jumping into a tackle is considered dangerous play, as tacklers are generally not allowed to carry players in the air, except when diving to score.

“Jumping over into tackle would be deemed to be dangerous play as well, because when you’re diving, technically in law, the tackler is not allowed to carry in the air, but we allow that if you’re in the act of diving to score a try.”

Nigel Owens

Similar Incident in Super Rugby Pacific

A comparable situation occurred in a Super Rugby Pacific match between the Chiefs and the Blues, involving lock Tupou Vaa’i. Although the try was initially awarded, tournament organisers later confirmed it was the incorrect decision. The review concluded Vaa’i had left the ground to avoid a tackle, rather than diving to score.

“The review concluded that Vaa’i’s actions constituted leaving the ground to avoid a tackle, rather than simply diving forward to score a try, and that as a result the try should not have been awarded.”

Super Rugby Pacific Tournament Organisers

Owens emphasized the key difference: The difference will be, did you actually dive to avoid the tackle, or is it a natural action to score? He used the example of Jonny May, who was previously penalised for a similar action at Twickenham.

FAQ

• What is the difference between a legal dive and an illegal dive? A legal dive is a natural action to score a try. An illegal dive is an attempt to avoid a tackle.
• What are the dangers of diving to avoid a tackle? We see considered dangerous play as it can lead to injury.
• Has this rule been clarified recently? Yes, World Rugby issued a clarification in 2022.

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