'Disgusted': England 'cheap' shot divides rugby world
Rugby fans are calling for action against England inside centre Piers Francis after a brutal head high hit seven seconds into the clash against the USA.
Francis charged forward from the kick-off and flattened Will Hooley with a tackle with replays showing his shoulder making solid contact with the head.
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The Eagles fullback was laid out concussed and soon stretchered off the field.
Incredibly, Australian referee Nic Berry didn’t blow a penalty.
He also didn’t ask for assistance from the TMO.
Commentators on ITV were adamant Francis was fortunate not to be carded.
“It’s the opening five seconds and he has got away with one there really,” former World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio said.
“Probably because, a bit like in football, the referee maybe hasn’t penalised the first challenge.
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“Every tackle now, based on the Reece Hodge incident and the two Samoans, is going to be looked at very closely.”
Fans were very quick to call for a minimum three-week suspension following the precedent set when the governing body slapped Wallabies winger Reece Hodge with a three-week ban.
So World Rugby, if Reece Hodge gets three weeks what does Piers Francis get for this? Direct contact to the head. Any chance of any consistency? Probably not #RWC pic.twitter.com/llSBRJfT4W
— Jules Jefferis (@thebigcode) September 26, 2019
Piers Francis tackle on Will Hooley gets worse every time you see it. #RWC2019 #ENGvUSA
— Neil Fissler (@neilfissler) September 26, 2019
So much better from England
First red card of rwc2019 for USA John Quill
But should Piers Francis have gone too after just five seconds ?— Mick Cleary (@MickClearyTel) September 26, 2019
Commentators disgusted with that ‘tackle’ (and rightly so) but where was the outcry about Piers Francis earlier? Haven’t heard them mention it at all #ENGvUSA
— Ben (@BencerasaIe) September 26, 2019
How long will Piers Francis be suspended for? 6 weeks reduced to 3 as well?
— WordOfTheLord (@praiseTheLordy) September 26, 2019
So, most of us rugby fans would want consistency above anything else in regard to this. Therefore the Piers Francis tackle has to be looked at closely. Where was the TMO? #RWC19 https://t.co/A8MhB5rW52
— Gareth Francis (@gaffa55) September 26, 2019
So they're checking this one and *not* Piers Francis.
This will go well.#ENGvUSA— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) September 26, 2019
Despite the controversy, England's squad players got the job done with a solid 45-7 bonus point victory over the United States at the Rugby World Cup against a determined Eagles side.
With a four-day turnaround after their opening Pool C victory over Tonga, coach Eddie Jones rang the changes with 10 new picks but was rewarded with seven tries in humid conditions at a packed Kobe Misaki Stadium on Thursday.
Skipper George Ford, Billy Vunipola and Luke Cowan-Dickie scored before the break, with winger Joe Cokanasiga grabbing a brace and Ruaridh McConnochie and Lewis Ludlam also crossing in the second half.
United States flanker John Quill was sent off in the 70th minute for a shoulder-charge to the head of Owen Farrell but the Americans never gave up and replacement Bryce Campbell finally got them on the scoreboard after the final gong.