During a Six Nations match against Italy, Wales skills coach Neil Jenkins had a contentious exchange with referee Mathieu Raynal over a high tackle by an Italian player. Jenkins, who came onto the field during a break to bring water to the players, attempted to draw Raynal's attention to the alleged foul, saying, "Blue 9 high tackle, our staff are saying it, Blue 9 high tackle." Raynal responded by reminding Jenkins, "You're job is to carry the water," to which Jenkins retorted, "Your job is to referee the game." The exchange escalated to the point where Raynal informed Jenkins he was not allowed to enter the pitch anymore, and Jenkins was nearly sent off. This incident has sparked discussions on the boundaries of coaching staff interactions with referees during matches.
Matthieu Raynal wasn't happy with this chat from Wales assistant Neil Jenkins... #BBCRugby #SixNations https://t.co/fMgmQip5zm
Ref forced to apologise to England and France seconds before Six Nations clash as commentator quips ‘not a good start’ https://t.co/sW3rruX02X https://t.co/sW3rruX02X
Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins shared a fiery exchange with referee Matthieu Raynal during a water break in the Six Nations match against Italy. https://t.co/Ojnt9aIUVi
Wales skills coach Neil Jenkins was nearly sent off after challenging referee Mathieu Raynal #TelegraphRugby | #SixNations
😳 Neil Jenkins' comments did not go down well! 🏴Full story below. 👇 #GuinnessM6N #WALvITA https://t.co/QG3tb3O5bA
WATCH: Jenkins had quite the exchange with Raynal 🟥 #WALvITA #sixnations via @TightFive_Rugby https://t.co/81wb2ukUjk
😳 "Your job is to referee the game." 🏴 Neil Jenkins and Matthieu Raynal clash during #GuinnessM6N match. #WALvITA https://t.co/ssPlFZ9tTU
Here is the clip of Neil Jenkins and Mathieu Raynal #WALvITA | #GuinnessM6N https://t.co/s5D52BFvFp
Hopefully we get something from World Rugby on Neil Jenkins here. Doubt it though. #WALvITA https://t.co/Juer0rbZoj
WATCH: Neil Jenkins could be in hot water for this exchange 🟥 #WALvITA #sixnations via @TightFive_Rugby https://t.co/81wb2ukUjk
WATCH: Neil Jenkins could be in hot water for this exchange 🟥 #WALvITA #sixnations https://t.co/81wb2ukUjk
The fact that Neil Jenkins defence is “Blue 9 high tackle, our staff are saying it, Blue 9 high tackle”… It just furthers this idea that if you shout about something enough to can bring it to the refs attention. Australia in 2022 did the same, Hooper said “the coaching box… https://t.co/kzRuCIWcxe
'Your job is to ref the game!' Wales coach in tense row with referee during match https://t.co/y0egrzRpLt
A clip of the exchange between Mathieu Raynal and Neil Jenkins. Not on. #GuinnessSixNations https://t.co/eIvqLA2XaS
Wales not endearing themselves to referee Mathieu Raynal. During a break, Neil Jenkins comes on. NJ: "Blue high tackle?" MR: "Your job is to bring the water on." NJ: "Your job is to referee the game." Jenkins very close to being, well, sent off.
Fiesty exchange between Raynal and a Wales water carrier… Raynal: “You’re job is to carry to the water” 🏴 “And you’re job is to referee the game.” Ends with Raynal telling him he’s not allowed to come into the pitch anymore… #GuinnessSixNations