In a moment that has gone viral for all the wrong reasons, Racing 92 scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec is facing widespread backlash following what many are calling one of the most blatant dives in professional rugby memory. The controversial incident occurred during a Top 14 clash between Racing 92 and Perpignan on April 19, 2025, and has ignited fierce debate across the rugby community about the growing spectre of simulation in the sport.
Late in the match, following a standard knock-on, Le Garrec appeared to make light contact with Bruce Devaux, Perpignan’s replacement prop. What happened next drew gasps from fans and ridicule from commentators: Le Garrec fell to the ground clutching his face, grimacing in theatrical pain as if he had taken a heavy blow.
Referee Kevin Bralley, to his credit, was unimpressed.
“There’s no need to do what you’re doing,” Bralley told the Racing 92 scrum-half firmly, as television cameras caught every second of the exchange. “There’s absolutely nothing there.”
Play resumed without any penalty or card being issued, and the scrum was awarded to Perpignan. But the moment was already doing the rounds online, where fans and pundits alike condemned Le Garrec’s apparent attempt to con the officials.
“It was proper theatre,” said veteran rugby columnist Paul Williams. “Absolutely ridiculous. This is rugby, not a soap opera. He should be embarrassed.”
RugbyPass’s French editor noted, “Le Garrec ne s’est pas fait des copains à Aimé-Giral.” (“Le Garrec didn’t make any friends at Aimé-Giral.”) The crowd at Perpignan’s home ground jeered loudly as replays of the incident were shown on the big screen. On social media, fans called the act ‘cringe,’ ‘shameful,’ and ‘a dive fit for an Oscar.’
One particularly harsh critic was former England international and commentator Ugo Monye. “I’ve got a lot of time for Le Garrec’s talent,” Monye said on his podcast, The Breakdown, “but this? Nah. This is the kind of nonsense that makes rugby lose credibility. If we start going down the football route, we’re in real trouble.”
Brendan Gallagher, writing for The Rugby Paper, called for a suspension: “Give him six weeks. Not because he injured anyone—but to send a message. Rugby can’t afford this sort of thing to spread.”
Even among former French internationals, there was little sympathy. Sébastien Chabal, never one to mince words, tweeted: “Ce n’est pas le rugby. C’est du cinéma.” (“This isn’t rugby. It’s theatre.”) The tweet has since been liked over 40,000 times.
Despite the backlash, Racing 92 and Le Garrec have not issued a formal response. Sources close to the club suggest the player has been reminded internally of the club’s expectations, though no official disciplinary action is expected unless the French rugby federation or Top 14 governing body intervenes.
Still, the incident has reignited broader concerns about simulation creeping into the game. In a sport that prides itself on toughness, honesty, and respect, Le Garrec’s antics struck a particularly sour note.
“The last thing we need is players pretending to be hurt to get a penalty,” said former Springbok Victor Matfield. “Rugby’s culture has always been about fronting up, taking your knocks. This was just embarrassing.”
While Le Garrec’s future in the French national setup is still promising, this dive has left a blot on his reputation. The question now is whether the governing bodies will act to stem the tide before such moments become commonplace.
As rugby fans put it more bluntly across comment sections and memes: “Oscar nominee: Nolann Le Garrec, for best performance in a rugby match.”
