Back slams Honiss
October 22, 2001

Stand-in England skipper Neil Back has criticised the performance of referee Paul Honiss in Saturday's 20-14 Six Nations defeat in Ireland.

For the third successive season, coach Clive Woodward saw his side throw away the chance of a Grand Slam by losing in their last match of the competition.

Being crowned champions for the second successive season was scant consolation after looking certainties to finally record a clean sweep earlier in the foot and mouth hit campaign.

But while Back, who took over the captain's role when Matt Dawson was forced off the field with a hamstring injury late in the opening period, admitted Ireland deserved their success, he claimed the home side were helped by some 'ludicrous' refereeing decisions.

"I have never watched videos of our previous Grand Slam defeats to Wales and Scotland, but I will look at this one," said the Leicester back-row.

"Some of the referee's decisions baffled me. In fact, some were ludicrous.

"Of course it comes across as sour grapes, but it's not. Ireland deserved their win.

"But I need to find explanations for what went wrong before I can start to come to terms with a day which promised so much but delivered nothing but pain.

"It is a massive disappointment. The lowest point of my career.

"It is impossible for me to believe that any side in the history of sport has felt so empty at being declared the best," Back told The Mirror.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices