Wales winger Josh Adams has been accused of ‘pure gamesmanship’ after going down holding his head following a challenge by Freddie Steward.
Former England fly-half Andy Goode wrote on Twitter: “Josh Adams holding his head after the Steward hit is pure gamesmanship! Too much of this creeping into the game to try and get players sent off.”
A second commented: “I noticed that he held his head but didn’t actually receive any contact to it. Maybe he should take up football.:
Another said: “Should he not have gone off for a HIA? Surely that should be the immediate protocol? If you hold your head, get it checked…”
“Should he not have gone off for a HIA? Surely that should be the immediate protocol? If you hold your head, get it checked…”
Watch the incident here:
However, other fans thought the England fullback was lucky to receive just a yellow card.
One fan wrote: “Shocking from steward, thats a red, v lucky boy. His game has been going backwards for a while now.”
A second commented: “Should have been a red card.”
Another said: “No mitigation mate… if it was gamesmanship or not. Lucky not a red.”
Five England players who flopped against Wales on Saturday
Below, we delve into the performances of five England players who failed to meet expectations on the field.
#1. Owen Farrell
Farrell’s overall outing at Twickenham has understandably been overshadowed in his second half sending off. The Saracen looks set to miss the opening match of England’s Rugby World Cup campaign against Argentina, if he is handed a three match ban for his shoulder-charge to the head of Taine Basham.
Evening Standard 5/10: “His tackle technique will come under renewed scrutiny after a poor red card.”
Planet Rugby 3/10: “Kicked well at goal, but the elephant in the room is the skipper’s tackle technique that, again, earned him a red card and possibly a suspension putting the beginning of his Rugby World Cup at risk. A Test he would like to forget.”
Telegraph 4/10: “Started well but there was a strange choice to pass back inside on one attack. Then his problematic tackle technique reared its head again, sent off after being reviewed by the TMO bunker. A ban looms.”
Rugby Pass 0/10: “Farrell couldn’t help himself, his ugly shoulder contact to the head of Basham rightly upgraded to a red card after TMO bunker review of the yellow he initially received. Now faces missing England important pool opener versus Argentina. Had started well, with good variety in his game but doesn’t matter a whit now.”
Replacement: George Ford or Marcus Smith