TV cameras, and microphones, are ubiquitous in all sports nowadays so trying to get away with something on the field of play is fairly tricky.
But one key difference between rugby and football is how salty the language can get that is picked up by the live feed into our homes.
The referee in rugby is sacrosanct, and the respect between players and the officials is something that a lot of sports would aspire to.
Forgetting for a moment that he was in a presence of referee Nigel Owens, a player in the Champions Cup clash between Northampton and Racing Metro at Franklin’s Gardens issued a sweary command to his teammate.
After the f-bomb was dropped and is clearly audible to the audience at home, Owens had a short, but stern, warning to the unnamed played.
‘Language, now then, there’s children watching at home’.
And that was that.
Have a look at the clip below.
And then there was this. Not in front of the children @Nigelrefowens @btsportrugby https://t.co/WnfyIUru9v
— Nick Mullins (@andNickMullins) December 18, 2015
There was also this gem as Owens had a quick word with Racing 92 prop Ben Tameifuna who was delighted to see the referee in charge.
Another reffing masterclass from @Nigelrefowens. A double-act with Derek Bevan & this one of many gems https://t.co/0kURAAGMOf @btsportrugby
— Nick Mullins (@andNickMullins) December 18, 2015