Red cards can end clear-out madness

SO two rounds into the 2021 Six Nations and already we can reflect on two red cards for illegal, dangerous clear-outs, which frankly is one of the more predictable outcomes in this year’s tournament.

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

First we had Ireland flanker Peter O’Mahony trying to wipe out Tomas Francis when Ireland visited Wales and then last week Scotland’s Zander Fagerson took a long run and took aim at Wyn Jones. Being a Wales prop these days is clearly a hazardous business.

Nobody in their right mind seriously disputes either sending off although Hamish Watson, in the heat of battle, did sound off straight after Scotland’s disappointing defeat only “ta think again” the following morning and wisely retract his defence of Fagerson.

What absolutely staggers me though, reviewing the incidents again this week, is that in both instances the respective referees – Wayne Barnes in Cardiff and Matt Carley in Edinburgh – seemingly had perfect real time views of both clear-outs and waved them on. Indeed Barnes seemed to get a little shirty with Wales players for voicing their concerns over O’Mahony’s challenge.

Happily, in both cases, the TMO stepped in and alerted the refs that they needed to come back and look at the incidents. Justice was done but it was a close-run thing.

Now, of course, referees are human and they can miss stuff but clear-cut reds for foul play right in front of your eyes?

Perhaps they have been insidiously, subconsciously sucked into the unspoken conspiracy that anything and everything must be allowed at the breakdown to facilitate quick possession.