‘Was the ref just making it up at the end?’: England fans fume at late refereeing decision
The Six Nations is known for its drama and the Calcutta Cup did not disappoint today, as Scotland edged past England 20-17.
The game went well past the 80 minute mark as referee Ben O’Keefe reset scrum after scrum in Scotland’s half with England’s put in. There was one particular scrum though where England looked as though they had won a penalty, only for O’Keefe to reset the scrum instead. This has set social media on fire, with angry England fans insisting it was a penalty. This is what has been said:
https://twitter.com/markthecard/status/1490034163822600195?s=20&t=PF_QECdLaHk-GQfszwKQdw
It’s always interpretation but that last scrum couldn’t have been anything but a penalty. Can’t see the ref’s possible reasoning for his decision there
— Ed Langley (@edlangley) February 5, 2022
Okeefe was great until that last scrum where he refused to give the penalty though it blatantly was one. Cowan dickie was key for Scotland today. I hope he (minor) injured himself in doing it cos he cost us the game. Still well done Scotland good game
— Tristan Saturnseed (@JimiHentris) February 5, 2022
Ben O' Keefe bottled it. At least twice England should of been awarded a scrum penalty in the last play. Let alone the turn over being another illegal play. Don't me wrong England lost that game themselves, but still so poor that so called world class referee's can't hack it.
— Harry Series (@HarrySeries) February 5, 2022
@WorldRugby Any chance referees could face some consequences for poor performances at all? Thinking of Ben O'Keefe in Edinburgh and no scrum penalty in the last 3 minutes in particular? Asking for a friend
— James Ranford (@JamesRanford) February 5, 2022
Great game, incredibly stupid from Cowan-Dickie when Eng had it in the bag. Eng not getting a scrum penalty at the end was bizarre, ref scared to give it. No excuses though, Eng bossed the game but didn't make it tell, well done Scotland.
— Simon Knowles (@SimonKn75881518) February 5, 2022
https://twitter.com/topsy_ojo/status/1490032731555782661?s=20&t=PF_QECdLaHk-GQfszwKQdw
Scotland XV
15. Stuart Hogg – Exeter Chiefs – (Captain) – 88 caps
14. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby – 22 caps
13. Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby – 31 caps
12. Sam Johnson – Glasgow Warriors – 21 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe – Worcester Warriors – 13 caps
10. Finn Russell – Racing 92 – (Vice-Captain) – 58 caps
9. Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors – 46 caps
1. Rory Sutherland – Worcester Warriors – 16 caps
2. George Turner – Glasgow Warriors – 20 caps
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 42 caps
4. Jonny Gray – Exeter Chiefs – 64 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby – 48 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby – (Vice-Captain) – 31 caps
7. Hamish Watson – Edinburgh Rugby – 45 caps
8. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 17 caps
Replacements
16. Stuart McInally – Edinburgh Rugby – 43 caps
17. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby – 4 caps
18. WP Nel – Edinburgh Rugby – 43 caps
19. Sam Skinner – Exeter Chiefs – 15 caps
20. Magnus Bradbury – Edinburgh Rugby – 14 caps
21. Ben White – London Irish – Uncapped
22 Blair Kinghorn – Edinburgh Rugby – 28 caps
23 Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors – 1 cap
ENGLAND XV
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 5 caps)
14. Max Malins (Saracens, 10 caps)
13. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 52 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 43 caps)
11. Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 7 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 5 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 112 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 31 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 51 caps)
5. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 3 caps)
6. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 36 caps) (C)
8. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 9 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Jamie George (Saracens, 61 caps)
17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 74 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 15 caps)
19. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 26 caps)
20. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 4 caps)
21. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
22. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 77 caps)
23. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 34 caps)
