Record-breaking referee Wayne Barnes has lifted the lid on the players who made his job the hardest\u2014and the answers might surprise you.<\/p>\n
From joking front-rowers to intimidating World Cup winners, Barnes has ranked the five toughest personalities he had to deal with across a career that spanned\u00a0111 Test matches and five Rugby World Cups.<\/p>\n
And his No.1 pick? A player widely considered one of the greatest of all time.<\/p>\n
\u2b50 Save us to your\u00a0Google Favourites\u00a0<\/a>for nonstop RUCK content!<\/p>\n The Players Who Tested Wayne Barnes the Most<\/p>\n Joe Marler \u2013 The Joker Who Never Switched Off<\/p>\n Joe Marler has built a reputation as one of rugby\u2019s biggest characters\u2014and that didn\u2019t stop when speaking to referees.<\/p>\n The Harlequins prop, who has earned over 80 England caps, was a key part of the side that reached the\u00a02019 Rugby World Cup final. But it\u2019s his personality that made him stand out.<\/p>\n Barnes admitted: Matt Dawson \u2013 The Classic Scrum-Half<\/p>\n World Cup winner Matt Dawson fits the stereotype perfectly.<\/p>\n A central figure in England\u2019s 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph, Dawson was known for controlling games\u2014and constantly talking.<\/p>\n Barnes said: CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was always a funny one\u2026 you\u2019d be trying to tell him something serious and he\u2019d just want to have a laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cScrum-halves are always the worst, especially Matt.\u201d<\/p>\n