Poor Ben Whitehouse.
The young Welsh official was refereeing a World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final, when the French decided to take out their frustrations (accidentally, mind) on him.
With the eyes of the world upon him (or two countries, at least), it started with a blow to the ankle.
Ref @BenRefWhitey requires treatment after being taken out by a stray boot in semi-final clash! #WorldRugbyU20s http://t.co/lgaQAzgJkX
— BT Sport Rugby (@btsportrugby) June 15, 2015
Then came the headshot, from an inside pass.
In your face! Ref @BenRefWhitey is floored for the second time today thanks to funny 'falcon'. #WorldRugbyU20s http://t.co/KG2sX220SF
— BT Sport Rugby (@btsportrugby) June 15, 2015
The latter wasn’t as sore, but certainly dented Whitehouse’s pride:
@btsportrugby sore ankle, sore nose……. Dented pride!!!!!
— Ben Whitehouse (@BenRefWhitey) June 15, 2015
Thankfully he survived to hear his own final-whistle and learned a valuable lesson…
@FollowRugbySite Ye all good! I need to learn to get out the way quicker #DodgeDuckDipDiveAndDodge
— Ben Whitehouse (@BenRefWhitey) June 15, 2015
Patches O’Houlihan couldn’t have put it better himself!