England captain Owen Farrell has been praised for “personifying the spirit of rugby”, after he congratulated Wales fly-half Callum Sheedy during the teams’ Guinness Six Nations Round 3 showdown.
The Red Rose – who lifted the Championship trophy last year – fell to their second defeat in three at Principality Stadium on Saturday, with Josh Adams, Liam Williams, Kieran Hardy and Cory Hill tries inspiring a 40-24 Wales win that sealed the Triple Crown.
Sheedy came on for his seventh Test appearance as a 46th-minute replacement for Dan Biggar with the score 17-14 in Wales’ favour, and the 25-year-old played a key role in seeing the win through.
Having missed two of his three attempts against Scotland in Round 2 the Bristol Bears star slotted five successful attempts from the tee, and Farrell seemingly recognised Sheedy’s coming-of-age performance by approaching him after his second conversion at the death, despite ending up on the losing side.
Highlighting Farrell’s move on Twitter, BBC Wales broadcaster Phil Steele said: “Hi Owen Farrell, I’m a proud Welshman who’s been involved in our great game as a fan, player, teacher, coach and broadcaster for over 50 years.
“I just wanted to say how lovely it was to see you congratulate Callum Sheedy after his final conversion. The spirit of rugby personified.”
Wales remain on track to emulate their 2019 Grand Slam-winning exploits after three successive victories so far this year, and Wayne Pivac’s men face a trip to Rome to play Italy next.
England will be hoping to swiftly return to winning ways back on home soil when they entertain France at Twickenham on March 13, with Les Bleus yet to taste defeat.
