TEDDY THOMAS ACCOUNTED for two of Racing 92′s six tries in their 40-19 rout of Ospreys, who were left to rue Dan Evans’ red card after just 37 seconds.
The full-back was given his marching orders for kicking Thomas in the face as he collected a high ball, and Ospreys never recovered.
Thomas fell to the ground instantly and was holding his face after the collision. Referee Frank Murphy halted the play consulted with the TMO before issuing the red card for what he called a “reckless action.”
The 21-point victory ensures the French side remains top of Pool 4 in the Heineken Champions Cup, with Munster sitting one point behind them in second place following their win over defending champions Saracens earlier on Saturday.
Despite trailing by 12 points after 38 minutes, Glasgow beat La Rochelle 27-24 thanks to Kyle Steyn’s 64th minute try which lifted the Scottish outfit to second in Pool 2 before unbeaten Exeter Chiefs host fellow English side Sale Sharks on Sunday.
A red card after just 37 seconds!
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) December 7, 2019
Dan Evans given marching orders for reckless action...
Have you ever seen anything like it? 😲#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/8aCH07gItV
Elsewhere, French league leaders Lyon claimed their first ever success in the top-tier competition beating Italian side Benetton 28-0.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Can’t be karate kicking lads in the face, accidental or otherwise. Should be looking forward to the Christmas off
@Jim Demps: Teddy has a kickable face though in fairness
@Andy: What a childish statement to make!What did you really mean to say ? Wreckless behaviour here could have had serious consequences on Thomas.
I actually don’t think this is an accidental collision like the ref said. He clearly lift the boot, deserves his red card all day long.
@Declan Snow: I think the same. You can see the initial lift and then it goes higher and the boot goes out as he gathers the ball
Delighted to see it given. I’ve no problem with a knee being lifted in the act of jumping. That’s a natural protective instinct as you’re in a crazy vulnerable position in mid air but Iifting the foot up sets a terrible example for younger players defending themselves competing for a high ball. The same should be done in soccer with goalies being completely reckless on occasion. Kids follow the example of top players. They can’t be following that.
Dangerous play.
Correct decision.
Blatant red. Good call referee and tmo
Harsh call in real time, looks much worse in slow motion. TT didn’t make a big deal of it to be fair
Next issue to be addressed is players leading with their knee as they’re about tackled low. The probability is that they’ll make contact with the tackler’s head or shoulder. I can see why a player might bring their knees up when jumping to catch a high ball, that is a defensive action however if a player lifts their knee while running at the tackler, it’s an offensive and potentially dangerous action. The tackler is usually but not always the transgressors.
@Sean Malone: how does one run without leading with the knee?