France star’s ‘proper theatre’ leads to ban calls for ‘absolutely ridiculous’ dive
Nolann Le Garrec's dive and his reaction to no sanction.
Nolann Le Garrec’s simulation in Racing 92’s defeat to Perpignan in the Top 14 has led to calls for the scrum-half to be suspended.
There is a growing concern that simulation is creeping into rugby as players attempt to get favourable decisions from the referees with theatrical dives akin to those seen in football.
Nolann Le Garrec’s dive
Le Garrec’s actions fit in that category as he flung himself to the floor during the Top 14 clash against Perpignan, holding his face in an attempt to earn a penalty for his side.
The incident occurred in the 70th minute of the match with Racing 92 down 28-17 and in search of a try while playing with 14 men following the red card to Vinaya Habosi.
After losing possession from a knock-on, France international Le Garrec looked to run towards the breakdown but ran softly into Perpignan’s replacement prop Bruce Devaux, who looked rather bemused as the scrum-half clutched his face on the floor.
Thankfully for Perpignan, the officials were not interested in the slightest and did not even review the incident despite Le Garrec’s pleas and Racing 92 medics coming on to check on the scrum-half, who returned to his feet and played out the rest of the match.
Shameful dive from Nolann Le Garrec, but good to see the referee was having none of it! pic.twitter.com/j2RvEqStJj
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) April 20, 2025
Play would eventually resume with a scrum to Perpignan, who would later concede a try but held onto a 28-24 lead until the final whistle, claiming their seventh win of the season.
Social media reaction
The France scrum-half’s action has sparked outrage and dismay on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, with rugby fans calling for sanctions and bans to be introduced for such acts of simulation.
“Genuinely think that deserves a ban. Absolutely ridiculous,” popular rugby columnist Paul Williams wrote.
While journalist Brendan Gallagher stated that it should be “six weeks minimum for this sh***osery”.
Bath Bytes added: “Ban him!!! Make an example of him with the ban! He should actually be ashamed, I’ve seen better performances in a jazz handy Am-Dram panto.”
A-P Cronje took a more serious outlook on the matter highlighting the need for officials to believe that a serious injury has occurred.
“This type of simulation should come with a ban. Part of the endeavour of treating head contact seriously is that if a player goes down holding their head you need believe them,” he wrote.
“So when it is clearly theatrics it should be dealt with utmost severity.”
A reply to the video also read: “Wow that is embarrassing! Should be a ban for that play acting to get someone yellow carded. May as well play football ffs.”
