England fans want Ireland game replayed after 'criminal' decision

Saturday, 21 February 2026 at 17:31

byRugby Rucker

England fans were left raging — and not just because of the scoreboard.

Ireland’s 42–21 demolition job at Allianz Stadium was emphatic. Five tries. Record winning margin away to England. A ruthless performance that reignited their Six Nations title charge.

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England were second best. No argument.

But the fury centred on one moment — and what many saw as a glaring miss from the officials.

The flashpoint

Early in the second half, with England trailing 22–7, Tom Curry was on his knees at a breakdown after an awkward fall. Tadhg Furlong charged in and caught the flanker square in the face with a forearm.

Curry’s head snapped back. His body folded. Furlong landed on top of him.

Referee Pierre Brousset, who had taken over after Andrea Piardi was injured in the first half, waved play on.

“The players are going in at the same time, it’s dynamic.”

England captain Maro Itoje pushed back.

“Did he hit his head?”

“He is not targeting there.”

“It’s a rugby collision.”

To many watching, it didn’t look that simple.p

“It’s the principle”

Fans were quick to separate England’s performance from the decision itself.

“We have to start by saying England were awful and Ireland were very good… because otherwise people shout about excuses. BUT… that is bare minimum a penalty and it led to an Ireland try and yellow card for Pollock. Awful decision.”

Another added:

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@ITVRugby

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Was this a rugby collision? Maro Itoje argues that Tadhg Furlong makes contact with Tom Curry's head

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3:35 PM · Feb 21, 2026

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Read 138 replies

“It’s a head shot, can’t argue that. Makes no difference to the game but Ireland have had three cards missed.”

And a more measured but equally frustrated take:

“In no way I’m defending England with how they played, but it’s the principle that every collision that looks dangerous should be looked at. Deserved win from Ireland, but piss poor actions from officials.”

One fan cut straight to the point:

“That is criminal. Very poor decision.”

Ireland were clinical and fully deserved the win. England were outplayed.

But in an era where head contact is scrutinised frame by frame, supporters expect consistency.

The result won’t change.

The debate about that decision — and the officials’ handling of it — won’t disappear anytime soon.

Six England flops against Ireland – and who should replace them

Their previous best win on English soil had been a 17-point success in 2022, but this latest defeat leaves Steve Borthwick’s side clinging to fading title hopes.

Here, we assess six England players who failed to deliver — and the men who could step in to replace them.

#1. Freddie Steward

RUCK 2/10: "A very poor showing from the Leicester Tigers fullback, who was dragged off just before half-time. Not very effective in the air and was very lucky to be let off by the referee after dropping one and setting Jamison Gibson-Park free, and was punished minutes later in the build-up to Ireland’s second try, getting a yellow card after a late hit on Gibson-Park."

Planet Rugby 3/10: " Some good flashes early on, but his yellow card ultimately proved costly as Ireland ran in 14 points in his time off the field and gained serious momentum in the process."

Rugby Pass 4/10: "Bold call by Borthwick taking him off before the break, but England needed the creativity and magic footwork of Marcus Smith."

Telegraph 2/10: "It is a major problem if your superpower is catching high balls and you cannot catch high balls. Suffered the ultimate indignity of being hooked after coming back from the sin-bin."

Replacement: George Furbank

#2. Tom Curry

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Making his first England start since the Lions tour, but came second best in the breakdown battle, with Ireland slowing the ball down and turning it over comfortably. Popped up in the wider channels with some bright flashes, but didn’t provide any convincing case to start."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "Got through some decent work in the tight, but couldn’t quite get the better of his opposite back-rowers."

Telegraph 4/10: "Did not deliver the expected impetus in the back row and it felt like the game rather passed him by without a standout moment."

RUCK 5/10: "Not really his day. Got around a bit and put himself about in his 50-minute shift, however just wasn’t hugely effective. Could have drawn a yellow card after Furlong connected with his head, but the referee didn’t give it."

Replacement: Guy Pepper

#3. Henry Arundell

RUCK 2/10: "Poor last week and poor today. Not good enough under the high ball for the way England play, and was caught out on so many occasions. Got into a few decent positions on the ball and failed to make an impact with any of them. Surely someone else gets a go in Rome in two weeks."

Telegraph 3/10: "Looked completely devoid of confidence in attack refusing to back his pace out wide and was a liability in defence."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "Some very nice flashes ball-in-hand, but couldn’t quite get the breakaway his efforts warranted."

Rugby Pass 3/10: "Didn’t enjoy a huge amount of success in the air, specifically chasing kicks, but looked England’s most threatening carrier. Just nowhere near enough to make a discernible impact, though."

Replacement: Ollie Hassell-Collins

#4. George Ford

RUCK 3/10: "Grew into the game as it went on, but the fact that he missed touch twice in the first-half, and was subsequently jeered by the crowd every time he kicked, shows how poor of a day it was for his high standards. Some of the decisions he made were strange, and England’s attack struggled as a result."

Telegraph 3/10: "Never great when your own supporters are ironically cheering you making basic kicks. Nothing else really went right."

Rugby Pass 3/10: "He’s done so many great things for England over the past year, but he will come under some serious scrutiny now."

Express 4/10: "Poor in Edinburgh, kicked two penalties straight out here and at risk."

Replacement: Fin Smith

#5. Luke Cowan-Dickie

Rugby Pass 2/10: "Dreadful first lineout, although there appeared to be confusion in the ranks, and while the lineout tightened up, it wasn’t an area England looked completely secure in. Swarmed on by Joe McCarthy at the back of a maul in a match he struggled in. Borthwick had seen enough, and hooked him off after 29 minutes."

Telegraph 2/10: "So bad it got to the point he was not trusted to throw a proper line-out. Replaced before the 30 minute mark and it could have actually been earlier."

Planet Rugby 3/10: "Not his finest day in an England shirt. Did well in the loose, but the lineout was a real issue for England in the early part of the game, firing at 67% during his time on the field, and was later hooked at 29 minutes."

RUCK 2/10: "Dragged off only 29 minutes in after a shocking showing that included some poor lineout throwing, general ineffectiveness and poor defending on more than one occasion. Didn’t turn up at all."

Replacement: Jamie George

#6. Maro Itoje

Telegraph 4/10: "A magnificent player but this was not the performance his milestone deserved. Lineout a shambles and exerted very little influence in the loose."

Rugby Pass 4/10: "A horrendous way to mark your 100th England appearance. Perhaps guilty of being slow to react for Gibson-Park’s try, but he was never going to be able to cover the ground. England were bullied at the breakdown and beaten in the area of the game Itoje thrives in. Left the field after 55 minutes with his side in trouble."

RUCK 3/10: "Not the 100th cap that he would have wanted, starting off with a lineout of his stolen by Tadhg Beirne, and finished after only 55 minutes. Understandably hasn’t looked at his best recently with personal issues, and looks like he needs a rest for his own good."

Express 4/10: "Part of a malfunctioning lineout before being replaced early on."

Replacement: Alex Coles

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