Eire’s Grand Slam-winning recreation in opposition to England was superb and it’s unacceptable to spoil a Check like that with a pink card just like the one Freddie Steward was given.

It was a disgraceful resolution. Keenan had bent down to choose up a free ball. Anybody who has performed rugby is aware of precisely what was going by way of Steward’s thoughts in that second.

He was making an attempt to keep away from a collision. Initially he thought he was going to must make a sort out, then the ball went free so he tried to get away from contact to keep away from any hassle.

He hit the brakes and turned his physique to get away from it. It was a freak accident. Keenan’s head went down as a result of the ball had been dropped and made contact with Steward’s arm.

What is basically disappointing is that not one of the officers even received near discussing whether or not Steward was making an attempt to drag out of the state of affairs.

All the main target was on the slow-motion level of contact, which, by the letter of the legislation, led to a pink card.

Simply because it’s the letter of the legislation doesn’t make it proper. They’re the legal guidelines that some folks have created and on this event there was a obvious glitch.

After the sport I used to be in a elevate happening into the media space with two Eire gamers and even they stated it was a bit harsh.

Rugby is a contact sport

Legal guidelines round harmful contact are more and more strict to guard gamers from mind accidents. I’m by no means going to jeopardise the well being of gamers inside the sport.

Nonetheless, the sport that we play is a contact sport. For those who suppose that you’re not going to return throughout some type of severe collision within the recreation of rugby union you shouldn’t play it.

The sport will shield the gamers as a lot because it probably can by driving good behaviours, and it’s a lot safer than it ever has been due to the best way the gamers are taught to regulate their physique peak going into contact.

I’m wondering if there may be an argument to have somebody among the many officers who has performed rugby to a excessive stage as a result of, within the case of Steward, they might perceive that situation and what he was making an attempt to do.

The influence of head accidents just isn’t the one subject inside rugby, and World Rugby and the unions have quite a bit on their plate.

I consistently hear the phrase ‘participant welfare’ and it usually refers to contact and concussion.

Participant welfare is greater than that.

It’s how a lot rugby gamers are enjoying, the calendar, how a lot they’re getting paid, their contracts and their monetary, bodily and psychological wellbeing.

The best way the sport is being pieced collectively for the time being, I’m not certain participant welfare is prime of the agenda. It could be stated to be, however I’m not certain it’s.

Eire can win the World Cup

I are not looking for all this to take something away from what was a completely deserved Eire Grand Slam.

They most likely would have gained the sport no matter whether or not Steward was despatched off or not.

The best way England had been enjoying, it took quite a bit out of them and so they most likely would have drained to a degree the place Eire would have completed them off.

I do know from expertise that it is rather tough to win a Grand Slam. You want squad consistency, energy in depth and for the opposition to not work you out because the match goes on.

I used to be actually impressed with Eire. They’ll go on to win the World Cup later this 12 months, though New Zealand, France and South Africa are attainable winners too.

A wake-up name for England

A few of Eire’s World Cup opponents could be grateful to England for the best way they performed on Saturday as a result of there have been moments when it made the opposition flustered.

England put Eire below strain and made certain they didn’t have the quick ball they’re used to. That has received to be the bottom depth England play at going ahead.

There was a stark distinction in assault the place England made line breaks however couldn’t end them off.

Eire manipulate their opposition to create one thing out of nothing, whereas England had been going by way of the phases and ready for his or her opponents to crack.

However there was particular progress after England’s heavy defeat by France. The final two weeks had been a giant wake-up name for a few of these gamers.

These video games have been semi-final and last depth. Now that they know the place that stage is, England have gotten to search out it.

Matt Dawson was chatting with BBC Sport’s Becky Gray.