Wayne Banres decision not to send off Uini Antonio over the weekend has come under fire with. a statement released.
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The France props challenge on Rob Herring was high and dangerous, with the Ireland player needing to go off for a HIA afterwards.
Many felt the colour of the card would be red, but Barnes opted to give him a yellow instead.
Professor John Fairclough of Progressive Rugby said in a statement: “Wayne Barnes is an excellent referee and someone for whom we have a great deal of respect.
“But regrettably, in our view, his decision to not red card Uini Antonio for a dangerous tackle that resulted in a fellow professional leaving the field with a suspected brain injury was a failure in his duty to ensure that player safety is the game’s number one priority.”
Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll also slammed the decision not to send Atonio off.
Every countries BEST and WORST player in round 2 of the 2023 Six Nations
IRELAND:
BEST PLAYER: CAELAN DORIS
Telegraph 10/10: “A scrap between him and Ardie Savea for the No 8 jersey in a world XV has become a reality. Absurd yet again, his pass for the match-sealing try was as good as they come.”
Rugby Pass 9.5/10: “Fabulous on both sides of the ball in Wales, topping his team’s tackle chart and royally carrying the ball, he was the standout Irish performer versus the French, taking the fight to them, especially in the first half when possession was regularly turned into points.”
BALLS 10/10: “Yet another superb performance by the No.8 . Was the best player on the pitch. His offload before the Ringrose try was just incredible . Top Ball carrier – 17 EPIC carries.”
WORST PLAYER: ROB HERRING
Rugby Pass 6.5/10: “First Six Nations start in two years for the rare enough starter and it sadly didn’t last long, Herring exiting all shook up in the 26th minute after shipping a head-juddering hit from the yellow-carded Uini Atonio.”
BALLS 7/10: “Lasted just 26mins due to a high hit by Antonio and was forced off. Had started well with 6 tackles in the 1st quarter.”
FRANCE:
BEST PLAYER: DAMIEN PENAUD
Telegraph 10/10: “Astonishing. One of the all-time great wing performances. An irrepressible force on the French flanks who repeatedly made one of the world’s best defences look foolish.”
Rugby Pass 8.5/10: “The arch-finisher’s 17th-minute effort was summoned straight out of the French book of Magic Tries.”
Planet Rugby 8.5/10: “Continues to show that he is one of the best in the business.”
WORST PLAYER: UINI ATONIO
Planet Rugby 4/10: “A forgettable performance from the tighthead prop who cost his side when he was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Rob Herring. He was also caught out for the opening try from Hugo Keenan.”
Telegraph 6/10: “Extremely lucky that his annihilation of Herring ended up as yellow and not red. Scrummaged his heart out after his return but a man of his size should offer more.”