JOE MARLER QUICKLY went viral during the first-half of England’s Six Nations win over Wales, earning acclaim from some, derision from most.
However, Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones was left immensely frustrated as officials took no action when the England prop purposefully grabbed the second row’s genitals.
The England prop will likely face a date with the disciplinary panel next week as World Rugby’s lawbook already has measures in place to ward against such incidents.
Joe Marler on Alun Wyn Jones... pic.twitter.com/YHxoKCkNOf
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 7, 2020
In the foul play section, a provision of Law 9.27 (which covers sportsmanship) includes the line: (A player must not) ‘grab, twist or squeeze the genitals’.
The low-end sanction for such an offence is 12 weeks, mid-range is 18 weeks and the top end entry point is 24 weeks.
That is the same punishment scale as intentional contact with the eye.
“There’s all the footage that’s been shown obviously,” Jones said post-match.
A lot of supporters saw what happened. It’s just very frustrating the fact we talk a lot about TMOs and footage review, there doesn’t seem a lot of that happening.”
When the issue was initially put to him, the Wales captain said:
“What would you do in that situation? 138 Tests for my country. If I react, I get a red card. It’s tough, isn’t it? Hopefully, World Rugby have a look at it. Joe’s a good bloke. Lots of things happen on a rugby field. My question is, it’s difficult as a captain these days because you can’t speak to a ref about anything it feels.”
Manu Tuilagi will certainly face a disciplinary panel this week after his late red card, but the guideline sanctions for dangerous tackles like the one he connected with George North’s head on are lower with a two-week entry point at the low end, six weeks in the mid-range and a top end entry point of 10 weeks.
Dan Leavy returning soon will be huge for Leinster and Ireland. The best forward in the country when healthy and a challenger with Underhill and Curry for those 2 lions flanker positions.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: I’m very excited to see him come back too and, sadly, will be hopeful that he is the same player when he gets back.
The Leinster medical team are excellent at managing rehab, very few if any players with recurring injuries, I’m optimistic that he will be.
Will Conners might be focused on as a 6 such is the depth at 7.
@Sean Fahey: Leavy could be a highly effective 6 too. He’s not a renowned jumper in the lineout but he can do everything else, and offers serious balance to any backrow, in similar ways that SOB did in previous years. Touch wood he comes back as the same player, as you said, the Leinster medical team have a good track record. Keen to see where Leavy and Conan will fit from an Irish perspective now Doris and Deegan have got their breakthroughs aswell.
That drop still haunts me. Better team lost that day!
@Jamie Bent: Ulster were immense that day but every now and then you either ride your luck a little bit or run out of it completely. It’s up there with Fofanas bicep alright.
@Jamie Bent: I’d dare say it still haunts stockdale too. He hasn’t been good since.
Two things stand out to me from a Leinster POV re-watching this -
It’s such a shame Adam Byrne has never really kicked on. Immense physical gifts but just seems to be lacking something to really cement his place. Rumours that he’s off at the end of the season too.
Secondly, Ross Byrne really is a big game player. Might not have the athleticism of his bro or even Sexton, but he never lets Leinster down in Europe. He has had by far the better outcome from the Carbery move so far.
It was a great performance for year one, of a 3 year plan. Year 2 and in play off spot in league, and Q final in Europe is nice showing, who knows where it will end, but certainly on target to be in finals and aiming for silverware in year 3.
I hope Dan Leahy will be given time to get to his own high standard, Leinster supporters will give him the space, not sure about the rest of chattering classes though !
@acallkelly: you’re right Leinster supporters are just superior people.. I heard theyre close to a vaccine