BBC SPORT | Special Events | Six Nations

CATEGORIES

RADIO

COMMUNICATE

WHERE I LIVE

INDEX

SEARCH

You are in: Special Events: Six Nations


Sport Front Page
-------------------
Football
Cricket
Rugby Union
Rugby League
Tennis
Golf
Motorsport
Boxing
Athletics
Other Sports
-------------------
Special Events
-------------------
Sports Talk
-------------------
BBC Pundits
TV & Radio
Question of Sport
-------------------
Photo Galleries
Funny Old Game
-------------------
Around The UK:
N Ireland
Scotland
Wales

SERVICES

Daily E-mail

News Ticker

Mobiles/PDA

-------------

Feedback

Help

EDITIONS

Change to World

Monday, 22 October, 2001, 10:53 GMT 11:53 UK

Back lambasts referee

A dejected Neil Back leaves the pitch at Lansdowne Road

Neil Back failed to lead England to Grand Slam glory

Neil Back has criticised referee Paul Honiss for making "ludicrous decisions" in England's 20-14 Six Nations defeat by Ireland on Saturday.

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

Being crowned champions for the second year in a row was scant consolation.

Back, who took over as captain when Matt Dawson was forced off with a hamstring injury, admitted the Irish deserved their success.

It is impossible for me to believe that any side in the history of sport has felt so empty at being declared the best

Neil Back

But he claimed the home side were helped by a poor performance by ref Honiss.

"I have never watched videos of our previous Grand Slam defeats to Wales and Scotland, but I will look at this one," the Leicester flanker told The Mirror newspaper.

"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."

WATCH/LISTEN

ON THIS STORY
	BBC rugby union correspondent Ian Robertson "The script was turned upside down"

	England coach Clive Woodward "We deserved to get beat"

	Ireland captain Keith Wood "It was great teamwork all the way through"

	England stand-in captain Matt Dawson "I'm sure during the week it wll feel even worse"