Steward’s Dublin red card is overturned
England’s Freddie Steward has been cleared to play after his red card in Saturday’s Six Nations defeat by Ireland was overturned.
The full-back appeared before a virtual disciplinary hearing on Tuesday night for a dangerous challenge to the head of Hugo Keenan at the Aviva Stadium.
However, while it was decided the tackle was an act of foul play, the panel felt there were sufficient mitigating circumstances to view it as a yellow card offence only.
England’s frustration at the onfield decision by referee Jaco Peyper will have only have increased knowing that Steward should have only sat out just 10 minutes of the game rather than the entire secondhalf.
Steve Borthwick’s men showed resolve in the face of the Leicester fullback’s dismissal, which drew an incredulous “Red card?!” response from Owen Farrell, before being over-run 29-16.
But the hearing noted in its statement that “match officials are required to make decisions under pressure and in the heat of a live match environment”. Peyper’s original decision divided opinion as rugby’s governing bodies continue their crackdown on dangerous play, especially any involving the head, in the face of concussion lawsuits.
The red card and subsequent decision to reverse it will only add to the confusion, with the World Cup looming this autumn.
Steward’s elbow inadvertently connected with Keenan’s head in an accidental collision between the fullbacks in first-half overtime.
As Keenan stooped to pick up the ball, Steward turned his body and although his arm was tucked into his side, his elbow stuck Keenan, who as a result failed an HIA.
Steward’s initial charge of ‘a player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously’ was changed by the hearing to ‘players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others’. Steward is available for selection by Leicester for Saturday’s home clash with Bristol.