Pau’s Stade du Hameau last Friday evening. The home team scored 24 points, but the touring Bulls managed to win, by getting just a couple more, with 26. At first glance, why on earth should that match have any interest for us?
Here’s why.
The visitors’ total included a seven-point try which came following an attacking maul late in the first half. Referee Karl Dickson told the ball carrier, Akker van der Merwe, to “use it” – so far so good.
Next, an instruction came from the referee, as he shouted “break away” to the hooker while tapping the player twice before pulling on the player’s jersey, as a further “reminder” to get out of there. You might need to read that again – it was quite incredible and…