A red card issued to England full-back Freddie Steward in Saturday’s defeat against Grand Slam winners Ireland has been termed “an awful farce” and “totally absurd” by past players.
Just before halftime, Freddie Steward was dismissed for making contact with Hugo Keenan’s head with his elbow.
Keenan was taken off the field for a head injury examination, but failed it.
According to Matt Dawson, a former England scrum-half, “the officials are demonstrating a lack of comprehension of the game.”
Dawson contended that when Keenan and Steward flew toward one another, Steward was doing his utmost to avoid making contact.
On BBC Radio 5 Live, Dawson said, “I can’t dispute with how the contact is a red, but it’s the context of how it went to that contact.
“He has been penalized by getting sent off because he is stepping, slowing down, and turning to get out of the collision area. It is absurd.
He was making every effort to avoid making touch. It is a complete farce.
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It appeared harsh, said Farrell.
World Rugby’s efforts to decrease head injuries include stricter officiating around risky challenges, although detractors have expressed worries over red cards determining games. As Steward exited the field, Ireland was up 10-6 and went on to win 29-16 in Dublin.
Although the red card for Steward “seemed severe,” England captain Owen Farrell noted, “It’s not for me to have a judgment on. I can only say that the regulations were created for a reason.
More than 200 former professional athletes are suing World Rugby, England’s Rugby Football Union, and the Welsh Rugby Union because they feel their protection from brain injuries during play was insufficient.
World Rugby recently started an experiment to shorten tackles in the community game in addition to tightening tackle regulations in the elite game. In the Rugby Championship of the Southern Hemisphere, a 20-minute red card has been tested.
Steward received the third red card of the 2023 Six Nations, following one each for France and Scotland in their third-round game.
Throughout the competition, twelve yellow cards were issued, including one to England’s Jack Willis in the last five minutes against Ireland.
In response to Steward’s red, England head coach Steve Borthwick commented, “I thought the players adapted quite well. When there were only 13 men left, the space against the top-ranked team in the world eventually became clear.
“The England team respects the decisions of the referees.”
Rugby’s response to the collision between Freddie Steward and Hugo Keenan was “ridiculous” and “a disaster.”
For striking Hugo Keenan, Freddie Steward was dismissed at the conclusion of the first half.
Winner of the World Cup Jason Robinson called the decision by referee Jaco Peyper to send Steward off “absolutely absurd,” adding, “That was a yellow card at best.”
Jonathan Joseph, an England center, called it a “utter shambles,” and Ugo Monye, a former wing, called it a “poor call” because the incident was a rugby one.
Will Carling, a former captain of England, stated: “Steward had a split second to react to a man running at him following a knock-on.
He was defending himself; there was no malice; what a comedy.
Ben Stokes, the captain of England’s Test cricket team, referred to the choice as a “shambles,” adding that “Rugby [is] being wrecked.”
Jamie Heaslip, a former back row for Ireland, expressed sympathy for England’s situation but thought World Rugby’s head contact process—which considers the seriousness of the collision and whether any mitigation was present—was properly handled.
“In my view, it’s a rugby event; it happens, but once he [the referee] follows the process, things won’t go well,” the player said.
It was “a tough judgment,” said player welfare organization Progressive Rugby, adding that it was “nice to see” Keenan receive a brain injury evaluation. Progressive Rugby has urged for further action to safeguard players from harm.