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Sun 11 Mar 2018 | 08:16
Two French players see red for nasty WWE double tackle

12
Comments

Shades of The Undertaker or The Dudley Boyz were on show during France U20s match against England, as two Frenchman were sent off for a horrendous clear out at the ruck.

With England centre Fraser Dingwall jackaling over the ruck, Hassane Kolingar and Pierre-Henri Azagoh lifted him upside down and drove him into the ground.

Comparisons with Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu's spear tackle on Brian O'Driscoll are clear to see, but this time two red cards were shown and it is doubtful that the pair will play again this season.

France had been well on their way to a Six Nations Grand Slam, but 16-6 down with five minutes to play it was clear that the French players were getting frustrated and this dangerous play was the result.

Its illegality was obvious, with Daniel Brennan, son of Irish legend Trevor, immediately putting his head in his hands, but luckily Dingwall was uninjured.

We are yet to hear about the obvious citings and suspensions, but will update accordingly.

Posted By: c_gillon

12 Comments

  • felipeg
    10:50 AM 13/03/2018

    Too bad it's all we get from the french U20. I v watched some "highlights vids" and they seem to produce some beautiful rugby.

  • im1
    10:33 AM 12/03/2018

    'a pure rush of blood to the head and anger got in the way'

    in terms of context, they were 16-6 down at home with 5 mins to play and a the grand slam slipping away.

    It may be fair to give them a bit of the benefit of the doubt in that it would not have been as bad if only one of them had been making the clear out. However, if you do that you then have to assume that they were being particularly reckless with the clearout because of the game/tournament situation.

  • jimmy23
    9:54 AM 12/03/2018

    I like how the commentator laughed.

  • colombes
    9:49 AM 12/03/2018

    I think both had the same idea at the same time to clear out the english player of the ruck, but their combined action achieved this perfect MMA. Both clear red, whatever it was intentional or not.

  • drg
    9:44 AM 12/03/2018

    Didn't out 2+2 together, that's "Daniel Brennan son of Irish..." that RD refers to in the post..

  • jimmy23
    9:41 AM 12/03/2018

    A physical embodiment of the phrase; "Mon Dieu!"

  • drg
    9:40 AM 12/03/2018

    Whilst I can't see this being anything other than red, I'd be interested in the context, do we think that it was two players combining to clear the guy out? Or one player grabbing a leg for a rolling clear out, whilst another player did the same?

    I'm drawn to the latter personally as I can't see what the end goal would be otherwise? Unless it was a pure rush of blood to the head and anger got in the way?!

  • drg
    9:38 AM 12/03/2018

    I noticed he gave his player a slap before the drop as well!

  • oliver
    9:27 AM 12/03/2018

    ha....nice facepalm!

  • moo
    9:24 AM 12/03/2018

    The reaction of the other French prop also standing at the ruck says it all.

  • oliver
    9:22 AM 12/03/2018

    Red cards was the correct decision IMO.
    But 1: not a tackle, it's a clear-out.
    2: they did not "drive him into the ground", they dropped him.
    Which is probably why the english player was uninjured, unlike BOD.

  • colombes
    9:22 AM 12/03/2018

    Com'on, they were just trying to dig another eurotunnel to reinforce the entente cordiale.

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