Was it intentional? PRO12’s disciplinary committee believe not.
In the end, Paddy Jackson managed to get Ulster out of jail in their Guinness PRO12 clash with Munster,kicking a last-gasp penalty to secure a 23 each draw in Belfast.
The home side had to play the final seven minutes without one of their most solid performers, after Iain Henderson was red carded for a frontal charge on Ronan O’Mahony.
We’ve already seen today one dangerous tackle at a ruck in the English Premiership, but it seems there was quite a lot of mixed feelings out there on whether he impacted the Munster man with his head or led with his forearm in the ruck,
Iain Henderson red card for this on Ronan O’Mahoney pic.twitter.com/xKGTnse9Re
— Kevin Mc Gillicuddy (@KMcGillicuddy86) May 9, 2015
He clearly leads with his forearm but not his head,despite the impact on O’Mahony.
A statement from the PRO12, today, reads:
‘Having viewed the footage of the incident and listened to representations by and on behalf of Mr Henderson, [the committee] decided that the act did not warrant a red card. Having viewed the incident in close-up, which the match referee had not been able to do at the time, the committee concluded that the player’s initial contact with his opponent had not in fact been with his head but with his arm.
The committee imposed no sanction on the player, who is free to resume playing immediately.’
Nigel Owens believed officials made a major mistake in sending him off.
@UlsterRugby Such an undeserved red card for @HendersonIain but fantastic try by @PaulMarshall9 takes the edge of it slightly #SUFTUM
— Rachel Craig (@missrcraig) May 9, 2015
Might have known that @Nigelrefowens would take revenge on @HendersonIain after he knocked him out in Galway! ? — Andrew Thompson (@thompo2010) May 9, 2015
@Nigelrefowens @HendersonIain Nigel explain the red card? No clear evidence that he made contact with his head no mark on Munster player!
— Peter (@petey_fgau) May 9, 2015
Nigel Owens takes the easy option and spoils Iain Henderson’s season #SUFTUM#Ulster — A Guy Called Josh ن (@Josh_Murtagh) May 9, 2015
Some however felt the red was deserved
Reckless stuff from Henderson. Whether or not he meant it is irrelevant. He had no control over his body. Could have done serious damage.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) May 9, 2015
Sadly, that Hendo clearout red is down to @WorldRugby ignoring the dangers of that part of the game. Players think they can do anything.
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) May 9, 2015
*Updated from story first posted on May 9
