Ben Stokes was among the many celebrities to react to a controversial purple card throughout the Ireland vs England grand slam decider within the Six Nations on Saturday.
Ireland entered the match in Dublin as heavy favourites to seal a grand slam – awarded for successful all 5 of your matches throughout a Six Nations marketing campaign – in opposition to an England aspect, who suffered an historic humiliation at Twickenham in opposition to France simply seven days earlier than, being thumped 53-10 for his or her largest-ever residence defeat.
But England had began strongly on the Aviva Stadium, a much-improved efficiency seeing them solely trailing 10-6 in direction of the top of the primary half. However, their process grew to become a lot tougher when star full again Freddie Steward was proven a harsh purple card.
In the fortieth minute, Ireland’s Hugo Keenan collided uncomfortably with Steward’s elbow as he stooped to try to accumulate a dropped ball. Steward had turned to brace for Keenan, who was in an unnatural place with the whistle blown, and unintentionally made contact together with his head. Referee Jaco Peyper argued that the England man had an obligation of care in direction of his opponent and may have executed extra to keep away from contact, resulting in a purple card that left England’s gamers baffled.
Twitter instantly reacted to the choice, together with a variety of well-known faces having their say, and England cricket captain Ben Stokes was a type of, tweeting: “ Red card??????????? Shambles shambles shambles. Rugby being ruined.”
Stokes then adopted up with a second tweet, saying: “Anyone trying to defend that red card decision at the half time break is just trying to look after themselves”
England prop Joe Marler, who hasn’t been chosen for the squad throughout this Six Nations, echoed that disbelief.
He wrote: “Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. In fact it’s complete and utter b****ks.”
Former England fly half Andy Goode added: “Awful call from Jaco Peyper, that’s a rugby incident never a red card for Steward.”
Welsh comic Mike Bubbins also weighed in, saying: “That really is incredibly harsh on Freddie Steward. I am a major advocate of making the game safer, but I don’t see what else he could do, there. He’s been one of Englands best players this #SixNations , too.”
Former Scotland worldwide and present rugby pundit Jim Hamilton mentioned: “Absolutely the wrong call. So so wrong. That’s “a rugby incident “ #IREvENG”
Another ex-England worldwide Ben Foden additionally backed the virtually common calls suggesting the choice was flawed.
Foden tweeted: “Anyone who thinks that was a purple card has by no means performed rugby. If Steward didn’t pull out it might have been a lot worse for Keenan. Yellow at worse. A ahead go, bouncing ball and cut up second resolution which steward did the suitable factor and pulled out. “
