France prop Uini Atonio has been cited for his dangerous tackle on Ireland’s Rob Herring, and will be attending a disciplinary hearing this Wednesday 15th February.
In one of the biggest talking points of Ireland’s 32-19 win over France, Atonio only received a yellow card for his shoulder charge on the Ireland hooker, from referee Wayne Barnes.
Herring was unable to continue, and was substituted off after taking Atonio’s shoulder to the head in the 26th minute. A statement from the Guinness Six Nations press release read:
“France prop Uini Atonio will attend an independent discliplinery hearing after he was cited for an act of foul play, contrary to Law 9.13 (A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.)”
As the ever-circulating conversation around rugby head injuries continues, this is not what rugby fans wanted to be talking about after the game. Yet Atonio’s sin bin offence was soon the hot topic of discussion on social media, with many fans, former players and pundits debating as to whether of not the head contact was worthy of a red card.