England scored a highly controversial try to put daylight between themselves and Ireland at the Aviva, en route to an unexpected 32-20 victory.
With the scores at 17-13 and fifteen minutes left on the clock, a clearly forward pass was thrown from Henry Slade to Jonny May on the wing before May chipped ahead for the lightening Slade to touch down.
Here's that Henry Slade try! 🏴
Crucial decision in the game 🏉#VMTVRugby #GuinnessSixNations #IREvENG pic.twitter.com/mxdjpQvhV9— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 2, 2019
I don’t think you need a refereeing qualification to see a forward pass
— John Keaney (@johnkeaney_) February 2, 2019
How ridiculous was not checking that forward pass? Changed the whole game
— TheRedKnight (@Thebatmanofbelf) February 2, 2019
Referee Jerome Garces looked to have copped on to it, going first to his linesman and then to TMO, but opted to look at whether Slade was ahead of the kicker when then chip came in from May, stating he did not want to re-evaluate the pass.
Alan Quinlan spoke for us all when he questioned as to why Garces wouldn't take a second look when things were so borderline.
It's too important to not go back!
The defeat has cost Ireland the opportunity of being the first side to win back-to-back Grand Slams.
