‘Let’s start playing touch’- England red card creates social media storm
The talking point at half time, and probably at full time, of Ireland’s contest with England at the Aviva Stadium is the red card shown to Freddie Steward.
The fullback was red carded by referee Jaco Peyper for making contact with the head of opposite man Hugo Keenan in a strange passage of play.
Take a look:
England’s afternoon gets a lot tougher 🟥
Do you think Freddie Steward deserved to see red for this? 🤔#GuinnessSixNations | #ITVRugby pic.twitter.com/yql6jKprJW
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) March 18, 2023
That has since caused an online storm, with the majority of ex players online disagreeing strongly with the decision. Take a look at what has been said online:
Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. In fact it’s complete and utter bollocks.
— Joe Marler (@JoeMarler) March 18, 2023
Absolutely the wrong call. So so wrong. That’s “a rugby incident “ #IREvENG
— Jim Hamilton (@jimhamilton4) March 18, 2023
This game is ruined pathetic let’s start playing touch
— Andy Powell (@andypowell8) March 18, 2023
Joke of a decision!! 😤
— Mike Brown (@mikebrown_15) March 18, 2023
Bullshit!!! The ball was knocked on he was bracing for impact and turning away …Utter shite decision
— Austin Healey (@IamAustinHealey) March 18, 2023
I’m sorry but they got that horribly wrong. What a shame #IREvENG
— Jacques Burger (@Nabasboer) March 18, 2023
Red card 🤦♂️ #IREvENG
— Mike Phillips (@mikephillips009) March 18, 2023
Steward had a split second to react – after a knock on – to a man running at him. Of course his instinct should be to make himself as vulnerable as possible – there was no intent – he was protecting himself – what a bloody joke
— Will Carling (@willcarling) March 18, 2023
Anyone who thinks that was a red card has never played rugby. If steward didn’t pull out it would have been much worse for Keenan. Yellow at worse. A forward pass, bouncing ball and split second decision which steward did the right thing and pulled out. 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
— Ben Foden (@ben_foden) March 18, 2023
Absolutely ridiculous!!!!
That was a Yellow card at best.— Jason Robinson (@Jason15Robinson) March 18, 2023
That’s mental 🤯
— Luke cowan dickie (@1_Dickie) March 18, 2023
Bad call IMO – genuinely think it’s a rugby incident. 🤷🏽♂️ #SixNations
— Ugo Monye (@ugomonye) March 18, 2023
England cricket captain Ben Stokes even chimed in:
Red card???????????
Shambles shambles shambles, Rugby being ruined
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) March 18, 2023
IRELAND XV
15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 29 caps
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht/Corinthians) 13 caps
13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 61 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 45 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 19 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 112 caps (c)
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 24 caps
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 52 caps
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 16 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 64 caps
4. Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 10 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 52 caps
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 93 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 49 caps
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 27 caps
REPLACEMENTS
16. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 33 caps
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 122 caps
18. Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 8 caps
19. Kieran Treadwell (Ulster/Ballymena) 10 caps
20. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 37 caps
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 104 caps
22. Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 18 caps
23. Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster/Naas) 4 caps
ENGLAND XV
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers, 54 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 55 caps)
12. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 50 caps)
11. Henry Arundell (London Irish, 6 caps)
10. Owen Farrell (C) (Saracens, 105 caps)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 11 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (VC) (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 76 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 60 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 66 caps)
5. David Ribbans (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
6. Lewis Ludlam (VC) (Northampton Saints, 18 caps)
7. Jack Willis (Toulouse, 9 caps)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 13 caps)
REPLACEMENTS
16. Jack Walker (Harlequins, 3 caps)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 78 caps)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 99 caps)
19. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 10 caps)
20. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 4 caps)
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 21 caps)
23. Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 14 caps)
