France hooker Peato Mauvaka was lucky to avoid a red card in the Six Nations against Scotland (Image: GETTY)
France hooker Peato Mauvaka avoided a red card during his side’s final Six Nations clash of the year on Saturday after headbutting Scotland star Ben White. The 28-year-old was sent to the sin-bin after diving towards White while the scrum-half was lying on the ground next to the tryline.
The incident was reviewed and referee Matthew Carley opted against upgrading the yellow card to a red after explaining there was not a “high degree of danger” in the challenge. Scotland were losing 10-0 when the incident took place after Yoram Moefana had crossed for the opening try of the evening. The visitors eventually hit back, with France leading 16-13 at the break.
A host of former players spoke out about the headbutt but couldn’t agree on the correct course of action, with ex-prop Peter Wright explaining on Sportsound: “That’s a headbutt. That’s foul play, he’s lunged at him.
That for me is foul play – red card. It’s not in a tackle. The whistle has been blown. He should be off for the rest of the game. It’s out and out foul play.
But ex-centre Scott Hastings told ITV: “That is the right decision. Mauvaka had an opportunity to stop, but he has thrown himself into Ben White. It’s a yellow card. On a rugby field, you can’t do that.”
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