In this video, we break down the biggest refereeing decisions from England vs Ireland in the Six Nations, analysing the key moments that shaped the match, including incidents involving Henry Pollock, Freddie Steward, Tommy O’Brien, Stuart McCloskey, Tadhg Furlong, and Tom Curry.
From missed penalties at the breakdown and aerial contests to cynical play near the tryline and one of the most debated clearouts of the game, this analysis looks at each situation through the lens of the laws and modern game management. The focus isn’t just on whether decisions were right or wrong, but on the process behind them and how consistency is applied at Test level.
The match also featured an unusual moment when referee Andrea Piardi was forced to leave the game due to injury, with Assistant Referee Pierre Brousset taking over officiating duties for the remainder of the match.
Officiating team:
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant Referee 1: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Assistant Referee 2: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Timestamps:
00:00 - Henry Pollock
01:01 - Aerial Contest
02:02 - Freddie Steward Yellow Card
02:49 - Referee Injury
03:49 - Tadhg Furlong Clearout
This video isn’t about criticising individuals, but about understanding refereeing decisions at the highest level of rugby and examining where officials got it right, and where questions remain.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments, which decisions did you agree or disagree with?
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