Viral incriminating footage surely ends Wales talisman’s Six Nations if guilty
On top of a resounding 34-10 Guinness Six Nations round one loss at home to Ireland at the Principality Stadium, it could be more bad news for Warren Gatland and Wales as Justin Tipuric has found himself in hot water this week.
Footage has emerged on social media this week showing Tipuric making contact with the eyes of Ireland lock James Ryan in the first few minutes of the match. Nothing has come of this so far, but photos and videos of the incident have gone viral online.
It came in the phase before Caelan Doris’ try as Ryan surged towards the line. Tipuric dives down to stop him and his fingers clearly make contact with the eye area. Slow motion replays are rarely flattering to players in trouble, and that has been noted online, but slow motion or not it does not look good.
Take a look:
Got sent this just there. Quite clear, should be cited pic.twitter.com/OSqe1vxNrr
— Andrew Donohoe (@andrewhdonohoe) February 6, 2023
This was all part of a barnstorming start for Ireland, as they raced to a 27-3 half time lead. Wales winger Josh Adams addressed Ireland’s fast start after the match.
“In the first 20 minutes, Ireland dominated us in every facet of the game,” Adams said.
“What were they? 20 points up? In international rugby, that is a mountain to climb, especially against a team like Ireland.
“The discipline will probably be mentioned a lot of times. It really let us down. It was nine penalties before half-time, and you keep a target of 10 in the whole game.
“Ireland are a really good example of a team that blast past the contact area, and that creates quick ball. That is something we can definitely get better at.
“We said after the game that it was disappointing, of course it is.
“But the feeling we had was we wish the game (Scotland) was sooner because we are all so eager to go and put that right.
“The disappointing thing is, in the first 20 minutes of any game, whoever you are playing, you expect to be in and fronting up in a close, tight contest.
“But they just blew us away in the first 20 minutes. That will be something we will look at, definitely get better at and try and improve.”
