‘Rugby has lost the plot’- Exeter players respond to Olly Woodburn red
Just when rugby thought it had survived a weekend without a hugely controversial decision, Olly Woodburn and Exeter Chiefs rocked up on Sunday afternoon to spoil the party.
The Chiefs winger was sent off against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road in a decision that has left the Laws of rugby under close scrutiny for about the 1000th time this year already.
It all happened just a few minutes into the second half, when Tigers winger Chris Ashton was diving to score in the corner. Stuart Hogg had produced a brilliant covering tackle, and was assisted by Woodburn who dived to prevent Ashton from grounding the ball. However, upon watching the replay to see whether the ball had been grounded or not, referee Karl Dickson noticed that Woodburn had dived on a tackled player on the floor in order to stop a probable try being scored.
A penalty try was awarded, which meant Woodburn had to be yellow carded as well. Having been yellow carded ten minutes earlier, this was the winger’s second yellow, meaning he was red carded and Exeter had to play almost 40 minutes with 14 men. Then hell broke loose.
Not only did Leicester run away with the game to win 62-19, but there has been quite a storm online regarding the decision. This includes plenty of Woodburn’s Exeter teammates slamming the decision. England internationals Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Nowell and Henry Slade, who were all absent from the squad, had their say.
Nowell wrote on Twitter: “I’m actually in shock, like shock shocked. What the hell is happening? That’s one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen. EVER.”
I’m actually in shock, like shock shocked. What the hell is happening? That’s one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen. EVER
— Jack Nowell (@nowellsy15) April 16, 2023
Slade wrote: “I have no words. Mental.”
Cowan-Dickie wrote: “Omg rugby has lost the plot,” and “Yeah just let him score mate.”
Omg rugby has lost the plot 😂
— Luke cowan dickie (@1_Dickie) April 16, 2023
Yeah just let him score mate 😂
— Luke cowan dickie (@1_Dickie) April 16, 2023
Even Harlequins and England loosehead Joe Marler chipped in with his view, writing: “Bonkers. Ridiculous. Laughable. Shambolic. What is going on?!”
Bonkers. Ridiculous. Laughable. Shambolic. What is going on?!
— Joe Marler (@JoeMarler) April 16, 2023
Take a look at the incident:
A dramatic five minutes of action between @LeicesterTigers and @ExeterChiefs 😳
Chris Ashton is denied Premiership try 100, before Olly Woodburn is given his marching orders after receiving a second yellow. Leicester are awarded a penalty try.#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/20dWUiJDHS
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 16, 2023
