RTÉ Rugby analyst Bernard Jackman argues that Freddie Steward's collision with Hugo Keenan in Saturday's Six Nations finale did not even merit a penalty, let alone a red card, though he acknowledged the predicament that officials are in due to the increased focus on head injuries.
The England full-back was shown a red card late in the first half after an unusual collision with his opposite number Keenan, Steward accidentally shouldering into Keenan's head after an Irish pass went to ground.
When speaking to Steward just prior to flashing the red card, referee Jaco Peyper used the phrase "in the current climate" to explain his decision on the sending off, saying that there was a "high degree of danger" in the incident.
The consensus among the RTÉ Against the Head panel - Jackman, Donal Lenihan and Murray Kinsella - was that it was not a red card, though they conceded it was a quandary for referees.
"Personally, I don't even think it's a penalty," Jackman said.
"I think it's one of those rare rugby incidents where Steward hasn't got much choice. Keenan could easily turn side-on as well because the ball was knocked on.
"The fascinating thing will be what happens at the hearing. How will World Rugby adjudicate on that? Because I haven't seen an incident like that before.
"I just think it's very harsh. If a player makes a high tackle or cleans out head-high, they should get red.
"But something that happens as a freak reaction to a ball being knocked on, I think there needs to be a little more leeway.
"It wasn't even a tackle and the slow-mo looks terrible."
The #AgainstTheHead panel discuss the Freddie Steward red card - and the wider context of what it means for the game #RTErugby pic.twitter.com/6ZzolhHcIO
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) March 20, 2023
Kinsella added that it has been overlooked that "sometimes there are going to be head contacts that are not foul play involved.
"Rugby is a dangerous sport. I don't mean to be dismissive of the really good focus on head contacts.
"Peyper's words are key, he just feels that he has to give a red card here. One ref said to me, 'we're damned if we do, we're damned if we don't.
"It's a really tough spot for refs."
