Connacht played out a 36-14 win over the Scarlets yesterday evening at the Sportsground, giving the westerners a second win of the season after losing their opening three games.
However, they were fortunate that they were not down to 14 men for the majority of the second-half, after Paul Boyle was only shown a yellow card for a dangerous challenge on Scarlets' lock Tom Price.
The Connacht backrower appeared to pick up Price and drive his head into the turf, although he was accidentally assisted by Niall Murray who was standing up and lifted Price's legs in the air.
However, referee Marius van der Westhuizen felt that mitigating factors meant that a yellow would suffice.
"A player is clearly lifted above horizontal," said the referee to his TMO. "He’s very close to the ground. He does end up on his head, but because he’s so close to the ground I’m only thinking yellow card."
It must also be noted that Scarlets were fortunate themselves that they were not given a red when substitute Kemsley Mathias close-line tackled David Hawkshaw. The referee missed the incident entirely and Scarlets avoided sanction.
Controversy In Connacht
"Not a high level of danger" pic.twitter.com/QmiaytFjhy
— SmallClone (@Smallclone_) October 21, 2022
Paul Boyle has been a naughty boy. It’s not great.#CONvSCA
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) October 21, 2022
https://t.co/owHIzzjnvd pic.twitter.com/0WiPKKF58p
— Overthehillprop (@Overthehillprop) October 21, 2022
READ HERE: The Reaction As Munster Confirm Status As Ireland's Weakest Province After Connacht Loss
Despite the lack of intent from Boyle, the Undertaker-like move could have had severe consequences for Price, and BBC ScrumV's pundit and ex-Welsh international, Gareth Delve, was shocked at the decision from van der Westhuizen.
"That’s a piledriver on Tom Price," said Delve ."This could be red-card territory in my view. You are talking about a high-level of danger, he’s dropped him straight on top of his head.”
"I don’t agree with that. I know he wasn’t that far from the ground but you just watch here.
"He’s lifted him upside down, he’s dropped him on his head like The Undertaker, and regardless how far away from the ground he is, I think that’s dangerous and that’s a red in my opinion.”
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