WATCH: Referee Luke Pearce floored by Harlequins’ South African lock Irne Herbst

NewsExpressHindi October 3, 2024

There was a moment to forget for referee Luke Pearce on Saturday as he was accidentally bumped to the floor by South African lock Irne Herbst.

The collision happened in the 31st minute of the Premiership clash between Saracens and Harlequins at a packed out Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

With Saracens leading 17-7 thanks to three early scores, Harlequins were looking to hit back and were in possession of the ball on the half-way line.

Knocked to the floor

However, the attack was abruptly halted when former Blue Bulls forward Herbst made contact with English referee Pearce who was sent to the floor.

Fortunately Pearce was not injured and saw the funny side as he got to his feet, shaking hands with the Harlequins lock before play would carry on.

Needless to say the TV producer and stadium big screen made sure those viewing got to see the official’s worst nightmare on more than one occasion.

Mark McCall’s Saracens would go on to win the derby game 36-24 in a result that sealed them a home semi-final in the Premiership play-off stages.

Their tries came from Alex Lozowski, Nick Tompkins, Andy Christie, Sean Maitland and Maro Itoje, with Owen Farrell kicking 11 points off the tee.

For Harlequins, Alex Dombrandt, Cadan Murley (2) and Joe Marchant crossed the whitewash, while Marcus Smith converted two of those scores.

Injury worry for Farrell

Farrell came out on top in his individual battle with Smith but was forced off in the 70th minute after rolling his left foot whilst he made a tackle.

The Saracens playmaker cried out in pain and then sat in the dugout with ice strapped to the injury in a sight that will worry both club and country.

England’s fly-half damaged the same joint in the run-in of the Six Nations but was cleared to play against Ireland before facing Smith this weekend.

The fear is that he may have done additional damage that could mean Saracens are without him for a Champions Cup knockout clash with Ospreys.

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