WHAT A CARRE ON!
Red card for prop Rhys could have Six Nations impact
WALES international Rhys Carre was sent off just five minutes into Saracens’ European Champions Cup clash with Ospreys. The 21-year-old, who made a name for himself at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, was shown a red card for what was adjudged by referee Alexandre Ruiz to be a dangerous tackle on Dan Evans.
He will now face a disciplinary hearing and it could have implications for any possible involvement in the early rounds of the Six Nations.
Carre may have harboured hopes of featuring in Wales’ first match of the tournament against Italy but that has now been cast into doubt with the inevitable citing.
Wales boss Wayne Pivac was in the stands watching and will have hoped to get a close look at Carre but it was not to be.
The game at the Principality Stadium is in just three weeks. The offence Carre was sent off for carries entry points of two weeks (low end), six weeks (mid-range) and 10 to 52 weeks (top end).
The decision itself has sparked a furious debate on social media.
As Evans ran the ball back for the Ospreys, he was initially tackled by Saracens flanker Nick Isiekwe before Carre added his bulk to the collision.
There are some who feel that Isiekwe’s initial contact with Evans should be seen as a mitigating factor.
Ruiz adjudged that Carre had made contact with Evans’ head or neck area, whilst that is also being disputed, with some feeling first contact was with the shoulder.
However, Carre did not wrap his arm in the collision and that is deemed to be dangerous.
“In today’s game, unfortunately, yes [it was a fair decision],” said
Channel 4 pundit Jim Hamilton.
“It’s a double shot, a big collision. What you sometimes go on is the players’ reaction and there was no real reaction from the players.
“But if you look at Rhys Carre’s right arm, it’s down, it’s not wrap. Can he wrap it? No because Nick Isiekwe is there.
“But by the letter of the law, if there is any contact with the shoulder on the neck or head, it’s a red card and the players know the rules now.
“I don’t like to see it but, unfortunately, in my opinion it’s a red card.”
Carre is likely to be cited and face a disciplinary hearing next week.
Despite the Carre sending off, Saracens emerged 22-15 winners at Liberty Stadium, inflicting a 12th successive defeat on the Ospreys.
However, there was some good news for the beleagured region as Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones appeared for the first time since the World Cup.
And the 142-cap veteran turned in a typically all-action display which earned the admiration of Ospreys skipper Dan Lydiate.
“Alun Wyn didn’t seem too rusty out there,” said Lydiate.
“He’s always Mister Duracell Bunny running around the field with plenty of energy and plenty of chat.
“Given that he’s had a fair layoff, he’s come back and he’s firing and he’s keen to get stuck in.
“It’s been a while since I played with Alun Wyn and it’s always nice to rub shoulders with him. He’s a massive influence within the squad.”
■ Match report: Sport on Sunday