Did the referee make the correct call here?
Munster were handed an early blow during their Champions Cup clash against Glasgow Warriors in Thomond Park on Saturday. Keith Earls was shown red for a dangerous tackle on Glasgow hooker Fraser Brown after 18 minutes.
https://twitter.com/eatsleeprugby/status/789805917311205376
Clearly unhappy with being taken out of the game so early, Earls let out his frustration by kicking a water bottle on the way to the bench.
Safe to say Keith Earls isn't very happy about the red card. The bench do well to dodge the water bottle! https://t.co/WbwVmeTUqe
— EatSleepRugby (@eatsleeprugby) October 22, 2016
The general consensus was that the offence was worthy of a sending off according to the letter of the law.
This is horrendous. Red card for Keith Earls
He has words with half the Glasgow backline going off. Garces apologised as he flashed red
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) October 22, 2016
feel so sorry for Keith Earls and Munster, 10 years ago that'd have been a great tackle not a red card
— Ben (@benfharries) October 22, 2016
Real shame for Earls but the referee had to stick to the rules and forget the emotion of the occasion! Keep going Munster!!@Prism_Fitness
— Twentypoundluck (@GegseNagle) October 22, 2016
Gutted for Earls. He's not a dirty player but that tackle warranted red. #MUNvGLA
— Aedín 🙃 (@minisandmum) October 22, 2016
However, not everyone agreed with the decision. Bath winger Matt Banahan argued that Brown twisting his body mid-air made it look worse than it actually was, and therefore it was only deserving of a yellow.
In my opinion not a red, Glasgow player tried finding ground with a tuck n roll can see why @KEITHEARLS87 is frustrated #pen&yellow
— matt banahan (@mattbanahan1) October 22, 2016
In the latest GAA Hour, we talk to Ken McGrath of Waterford and with Declan Brennan about a new club players’ association.
