Speaking to the media in the wake of Steve Borthwick's side's third defeat of the tournament, England prop Ellis Genge slammed the decision to red card Freddie Steward.
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The England fullback was sent off just before half-time after his elbow made contact with Hugo Keenan's head.
Keenan left the field for a head injury assessment, which he failed.
"I think we all agree about the red card. We play a contact sport", said the Bristol Bears loosehead, before adding "there was absolutely no malice in what Freddie did — no malice whatsoever".
Genge added: "He's (Steward) actually tried to pull out and not hurt the bloke so it was a complete and total accident for me and I don't think he can be punished like that.
"We just stuck with the best team in the world for 40-odd minutes with 14 men. I'm really proud of the boys."
Social reaction:
England cricket captain Ben Stokes wrote "Red card??????????? Shambles shambles shambles, Rugby being ruined"
He went onto add: "Anyone trying to defend that red card decision at the half time break is just trying to look after them selves."
Joe Marler added: "red card??????????? Shambles shambles shambles, Rugby being ruined,:
England legend Jason Robinson commented: "Absolutely ridiculous!!!! That was a Yellow card at best."
Jonathan Joseph added: "Absolute shambles."
Next up was Austin Healey, writing: "Bullshit!!! The ball was knocked on he was bracing for impact and turning away …Utter shite decision"
Will Carling commented: "Steward had a split second to react - after a knock on - to a man running at him. Of course his instinct should be to make himself as vulnerable as possible - there was no intent - he was protecting himself - what a bloody joke"
Andy Goode said: "Awful call from Jaco Peyper, that’s a rugby incident never a red card for Steward."
England’s squad ranked from best to worst:
Jack Willis - 6.5/10
Vs Italy - 8/10
Vs Wales - 6/10
vs France - 4/10
Vs Ireland - 8/10
Try Celebrations for Jack Willis of England as he goes over for a try during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
Jamie George - 6.4/10
Vs Scotland - 7/10
Vs Italy - 8/10
Vs Wales - 6/10
vs France - 5/10
vs Ireland - 6/10
Ellis Genge - 6.4/10
Vs Scotland - 5/10
Vs Italy - 7/10
Vs Wales - 8/10
vs France - 5/10
vs Ireland - 7/10
Ellis Genge of England on the break during the Six Nations Championship, Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 4th 2023. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
Ollie Chessum - 6.25/10
Vs Scotland - 8/10
Vs Italy - 7/10
Vs Wales - 5/10
vs France- 5/10
Ollie Chessum of England beats the tackle of Matt Fagerson of Scotland during the Six Nations Championship, Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 4th 2023. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
Freddie Steward - 6.2/10
Vs Scotland - 6/10
Vs Italy - 6/10
Vs Wales - 9/10
vs France - 6/10
vs Irland - 5/10
Freddie Steward of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
Owen Farrell - 6.2/10
Vs Scotland - 6/10
Vs Italy - 6/10
Vs Wales - 7/10
vs France - 5/10
vs Ireland - 7/10
A dejected Owen Farrell of England applauds in the direction of the England supporters at full-time following the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
Lewis Ludlam - 6.2/10
Vs Scotland - 6/10
Vs Italy - 7/10
Vs Wales - 7/10
vs France - 4/10
vs Ireland - 7/10
David Ribbans - 6/10
vs Ireland - 6/10
Max Malins - 6/10
Vs Scotland - 7/10
Vs Italy - 7/10
Vs Wales - 6/10
vs France - 4/10
Manu Tuilagi - 6/10
Vs Ireland - 6/10
Courtney Lawes - 6/10
Vs Wales - 6/10
Kyle Sinckler - 5.8/10
Vs Scotland - 6/10
Vs Italy - 6/10
Vs Wales - 6/10
vs France - 5/10
vs Ireland - 6/10
Maro Itoje - 5.8/10
Vs Scotland - 6/10
Vs Italy - 7/10
Vs Wales - 6/10
vs France - 4/10
vs Ireland - 6/10
A frustrated Maro Itoje of England during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
Ollie Lawrence - 5.75/10
Vs Scotland - 4/10
Vs Italy - 8/10
Vs Wales - 7/10
vs France - 4/10
Alex Mitchell - 5.75/10
Vs Italy - 7/10
Vs Wales - 5/10
vs France- 6/10
vs Ireland - 5/10
Ben Earl - 5.5/10
Vs Scotland - 5/10
Vs Italy - 6/10
Henry Slade - 5.5/10
Vs Italy - 6/10
Vs Wales - 6/10
vs France - 4/10
vs Ireland - 6/10
Alex Dombrandt - 5.4/10
Vs Scotland - 5/10
Vs Italy - 6/10
Vs Wales - 7/10
vs France 4/10
Vs Ireland - 5/10
Alex Dombrandt of England on the break during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
Jack van Poortvliet - 5.4/10
Vs Scotland - 5/10
Vs Italy - 7/10
Vs Wales - 7/10
vs France - 3/10
vs Ireland - 5/10
Jack van Poortvliet of England is interviewed during the England Rugby Captains Run ahead of the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 11 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
Ben Curry - 5.3/10
Vs Scotland - 6/10
Vs Wales - 5/10
vs Ireland - 5/10
Henry Arundell - 5.25/10
Vs Italy - 7/10
Vs Wales - 5/10
vs France - 4/10
vs Ireland - 5/10
Anthony Watson - 5.25/10
Vs Scotland - 5/10
Vs Wales - 7/10
vs France- 4/10
vs Ireland - 5/10
Anthony Watson of England during the England Rugby Captains Run ahead of the Six Nations Match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium, London on 24 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
Mako Vunipola - 5.2/10
Vs Scotland - 5/10
Vs Italy - 6/10
Vs Wales - 6/10
vs France - 4/10
vs Ireland - 5/10
Dan Cole - 5.25/10
Vs Scotland - 5/10
Vs Italy - 6/10
Vs Wales - 6/10
vs France - 4/10
vs Ireland - 5/10
Ben Youngs - 5/10
Vs Scotland - 5/10
Ollie Hassell-Collins - 5/10
Vs Scotland - 5/10
Vs Italy - 5/10
Joe Marchant - 5/10
Vs Scotland - 5/10
vs Ireland - 5/10
Nick Isiekwe - 5/10
Vs Scotland - 5/10
Vs Ireland - 5/10
Marcus Smith - 4.6/10
Vs Scotland - 5/10
Vs Wales - 5/10
vs France - 4/10
Marcus Smith of England during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
