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England's Ben Earl has gone viral over another excessive celebration

19 Aug 2023

Ben Earl of England gestures during the Summer International match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium on August 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

A week after the England rugby team’s on-field celebratory antics were brought to light and condemned by former coach Clive Woodward as ‘childish’, flanker Ben Earl has gone viral in the 29-10 loss to Ireland.

The England openside collapsed to his knees, fists clinched, momentarily overwhelmed by delight over a mis-executed lineout by Ireland in the first half.

Earl finished the excessive display of emotion with a quick fist pump towards the Irish backline as he roared loudly.

Here's Ben Earl celebrating a *checks notes* not straight Irish lineout throw in the first half pic.twitter.com/dvbrlIwufP
— Blood & Mud Rugby Podcast (@bloodandmud) August 19, 2023

The turnover of possession was largely to do with opposition error, which is why many fans believe Earl’s celebration is unsportsmanlike and purely goading opposition players.

England’s over the top antics are causing discomfort with fans given the results. Fans labelled the display as ‘so sad’ as Earl received backlash over his passionate display.

Ben Earl dropping to his knees to celebrate a knock on or a crooked lineout throw is so sad. Can you imagine Richard Hill doing that?!
— Tobias Pickle (@gjnn3) August 19, 2023

Ben Earl’s celebration energy is too much! How sore is his throat after a game?!
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) August 19, 2023

1973 – Gareth Edwards scores against the All Blacks.
2023 – Ben Earl witnesses a non-straight Irish lineout throw. #IREvENG pic.twitter.com/sQZa8GFrVM
— James Stafford 🇺🇦 (@jpstafford) August 19, 2023

Ben Earl celebrating refereeing decisions like he has won the World Cup. Whether he is doing it for Saracens or England, I struggle to get onboard with it. I get that most players do this these days and I understand the “logic”, but it makes me cringe #IREvENG
— Chancey (@UberChance) August 19, 2023

Ben Earl absolutely was doing positive things. I get when England are performing as they are it’s frustrating to see them celebrating this way, but I like a bit of passion
— James Wood (@Woood_James) August 19, 2023

Legend has it Ben Earl is still celebrating this
— David Westgarth (@DJWestgarth) August 19, 2023

Some corners of England fans believe that the behaviour is driven by Saracens players as their culture permeates into the England team.

All the bad aspects of Saracens rugby are being imported into the England team. Tackling, over celebrating and constant offside. Unfortunately the good aspect, winning, is not being imported.
— Simon Clubley (@chubbers1) August 19, 2023

Maro Itoje explained the thought process in 2020 which he denied had anything to do with the opposition.

“I have a contrasting view to the premise of your question,” Itoje said at the time over celebratory antics.

“When there is a celebration of a small moment or small victory within the game it almost always has nothing to do with the opposition.

“The opposition don’t cross my mind. I try as much as possible not to waste any energy on the opposition. My energy is towards my team, it is to celebrate my teammate doing something remarkable, it is to celebrate my teammate doing something that we are trying to encourage.”

“So, it actually has nothing to with the opposition. It is more about championing a value or behaviour that we respect as a team.”

Comments

6 Comments

Pierre Henri 645 days ago

It's a lack of respect for the opponent team and a lack of dignity for your self.

The Gareth Edwards comparison says it all ....

abso 645 days ago

As I posted in a previous article, this kind of behavior is stupid and classless especially given the amount of mistakes and dopy plays England made. And then Itoje, with his fake quazi intellectual response on it, although I do agree with some of his response he certainly didn't expend to much energy on the opposition in this match. As for mister earl's... he who celebrates last celebrates the longest ( and doesn't look like a tit)

The Chassis Chisler 646 days ago

Makes him look a bell 🔔 end.

BigMaul 646 days ago

I hate watching these excessive celebrations. As an England fan I find it embarrassing. Earl and Itoje are by far the worst culprits.

Kevin 647 days ago

Hilarious. What a Muppet

mg 647 days ago

The Gareth Edwards comparison is brilliant.

A) it is a ridiculous thing to celebrate

B) what a massive waste of energy

C) no need to give the opposition more of a reason to give you the shellacking they did

Join free and tell us what you really think!

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 15 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 15 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 15 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 15 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 15 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 15 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍