The opening period of Ireland - France gave us everything we wanted and more, from what looks like the deciding game of the Six Nations.
A brilliant Hugo Keenan try straight out of the Joe Schmidt play book, a length of the field French score, and a ridiculous acrobatic finish from James Lowe, all inside the first 20 minutes.
It didn't end there, however, as France got away with an extremely luck yellow card after a clear shoulder to head tackle from Uini Atonio on Rob Herring.
Following the hit, Johnny Sexton made a superb line break which nearly resulted in a try, before Wayne Barnes brought the play back to have another look at the Atonio hit.
After all we have been lead to believe over the last year regarding the laws around dangerous high hits, it was big shock and a poor call from Barnes for deciding that there was enough mitigation to award just a yellow.
Wayne Barnes Somehow Gives A Yellow For Shocking Hit
It was about as obvious of a red card that you are ever likely to see.
Yellow card? What are we doing here? #IREvFRA pic.twitter.com/ifTMEFg7GF
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) February 11, 2023
Wayno has got this one wrong, high degree of danger, upright in tackle, arm tucked, no wrap and shoulder to head with huge force! Red card all day long! pic.twitter.com/F9xIQvvIGx
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) February 11, 2023
The fact that Wayne Barnes did not send the Frenchman off is nothing short of unbelievable. It has high, out of control, used a huge amount of force, and injured his opponent.
Despite Barnes questioning the 'danger' of the tackle, Rob Herring was forced off the pitch for a HIA and looked very much shaken by the incident.
Those who were watching the game could not believe what they had just witnessed.
That is scandalous from Wayne Barnes
Not a high degree of danger? He's 140kg!#Indo6Nations #IREvFRA— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) February 11, 2023
Wayne Barnes saying there was no immediate danger in the tackle and Rob Herring is off for a HIA assessment. If World Rugby want to take this seriously, have officials make it black and white. #IreFra
— Dylan O'Connell (@JudgeDyl) February 11, 2023
Absolutely inexcusable from Wayne Barnes not protecting players that was a red card no debate #IREvFRA pic.twitter.com/QQu55haVYE
— Mark Smyth (@psychpolis) February 11, 2023
I propose Wayne Barnes has to take the same hit from the French Bloke so he can confirm it was not a high degree of danger. #IREvFRA
— Big Brian (@Brian1zvx) February 11, 2023
Wayne Barnes the fussiest ref in the world finds a way to not give a red card. Absolute joke.
— John Pidgeon (@jonnypmayo) February 11, 2023
Someone is going to get killed in this game if Wayne Barnes is going to give that as a yellow card. That is genuinely shocking and he shouldn't be allowed referee another game after that. #IREvFRA
— Declan Comiskey (@dcomiskey90) February 11, 2023
Is Wayne Barnes a Rangers supporter? The man is more anti-Irish than Thatcher.
— Tadhg (@TadhgHickey) February 11, 2023
Not good enough. He must have been the only person in the stadium or watching on television that thought it wasn't a red card.
This sort of thing should not still be happening.
SEE ALSO: Watch: Technical Difficulties Lead To Hilarious Jerry Flannery Six Nations Moment On RTÉ
