ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Monday Nov 29, 2021

MMA training kicks in as McGuigan loses it against Saracens

Sale Sharks winger Byron McGuigan let his mixed martial arts training show as he lost his cool with Nick Tompkins during the 25-14 Gallagher Premiership loss to Saracens. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson admitted that McGuigan let his frustration boil over, leading to his sending off.

McGuigan was dismissed in the 46th minute for striking Nick Tompkins from behind and throwing the Wales centre to the floor, before then propelling him into the side hoarding at StoneX Stadium.

It was clearly a red card even allowing for minor provocation from Tompkins and it came at a point when Sale trailed 13-0 despite controlling territory and possession.

“Byron trains at UFC on his time off so maybe he just had a flash-back of some sort of ultimate fighting session he’s done. I haven’t spoken to him,” Sanderson said.

“He’s a great lad, one of the hardest workers. The emotion, the occasion, the fact we hadn’t scored – I was feeling that too – probably got the better of him.”

(video available in some territories only, but see the incident in the match highlights lower down)

Soon after McGuigan’s dismissal, Billy Vunipola created a try for Sean Maitland that nudged Saracens 18-0 ahead but Sale refused to give up and they hit back with tries from Ben Curry and Raffi Quirke that sandwiched a score for Max Malins.

It was a disappointing end to Sanderson’s return to the club where he spent 13 years as an assistant coach but with the Sharks now facing a bye week, the club intend to make the most of their time in the capital.

“We’ve got some big plans. We’ve got an invasion of London planned. We’re in The Ship in Wandsworth tonight (Sunday) to lick our wounds, commiserate and come together again,” Sanderson said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Then we’ve got a rat race and are going to the magical world of Winter Wonderland tomorrow – so we’ve got that to look forward to. Then it’s a couple of days off and we’re into prepping for Ospreys.”

Vunipola provided the moment of the match in the 50th minute when he dummied his way through Sale’s midfield and sent a long, floated pass to Sean Maitland for the Scotland wing to complete a simple finish.

It completed Vunipola’s recovery from a minor knee injury and was a reminder to England boss Eddie Jones that he has a rugby brain as well as brawn

“Billy was really good again and it is a series of games he has put together for the club all season,” Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said.

“He has been inspirational for us all the way through. Eddie has just asked him to keep on backing up performances and he certainly did that.”

Apart from the result, McCall saw plenty wrong on an afternoon when Saracens returned to second in the table.

“The first half was really good. It’s as good as we’ve been physically all season and you have to be against Sale because they’re a really confrontational and physical aside,” McCall said.

“But I’m really disappointed with how we managed the second half and how we were all the way through it.

“It’s bit of a symptom of our season so far, we’ve been hot and cold in a lot of matches and the last 25 minutes didn’t feel very good.”

Match highlights, including the red card

Related Articles

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    New Zealand Rugby Brawl

  • 62 WEEKS AGO

    Must see all in brawl

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Shocking head shot in Ireland game sparks...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Match Report: Australia challenge the All Black HAKA in extraordinary test

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 9 HOURS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Tom Curry receives ban following red card tackle against Argentina

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Off the ball 'punches' being called out by fans following All Blacks vs Springbok match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Scott Barrett's World Cup on the rocks following reckless shoulder charge

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Bizarre tackle school video divides viewers

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 9 HOURS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Dane Coles stunned as he hears news of Steve Hansen joining the Wallabies

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Moment of madness leads to incredible Springbok score

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

View All

Funnies

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Irish players prove the work/life balance is possible even at a World Cup

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber offers ice cold response at the press conference

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Stone Cole’d: Dan Cole channels his inner Steve Austin in brilliant behind the scenes action

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Chaos ensues as off-field substitute is caught up in try scoring opportunity

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Springboks set to sing additional song post national anthem in future test matches

View All

Amateur

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 5 HOURS AGO

    Jersey Reds player evicted from own home following club collapse

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Irish players prove the work/life balance is possible even at a World Cup

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Watch Namibian wingers display incredible speed against Uruguay

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Vakatawa signs for English Premiership side in sensational return to rugby

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Exclusive: 'The Aussie DNA is missing' - David Campese reflects on Wallaby exit and ponders the future of Aussie rugby

View All