We were barely recovering from Damian Penaud’s crazy essay, written at the end of a crazy ride and a diagonal of madness. But in the process, the rear of the Blues Thomas Ramos is countered on his clearance in his 22 meters. The ball is recovered by the Irish, flies to the left side of the field and the arms of winger James Lowe. Who throws himself to flatten in a corner despite the charge from Penaud (21st).
The XV of Clover sticks together (12-13), the Aviva Stadium savors this emotional lift but the English referee, Wayne Barnes, indicates that he first wants to appeal to video arbitration. Very blurry sequences, where one seems to clear the Irishman, while the other tends to show James Lowe’s right foot touching the ground slightly before his arm puts the ball down, which would result in the cancellation of the ‘essay. But finally, the central referee decides to grant this second test of the partners of Jonny Sexton.
But at the break of this match finally lost (32-19) by the Blues, France Télévisions released a plan, curiously not proposed to the referees by the directors of the meeting, from behind. Where we can clearly see the toe of Lowe’s right foot touching the turf in touch, which should have prevented this test from being validated.
Obviously, the controversy tumbled into a press conference. Asked about the subject, the coach of the Blues Fabien Galthié first flashed a very broad smile, as much amused as bitter. ” What to say ? It’s part of… You have to be fair. At the time, we see that he has his foot outside. There is a touch judge at 3m, there are the images… but the good plan is missing, lists the tricolor coach. You have to be fair, but it’s five points less at the finish. »
None of his players wanted to argue further on the subject. “It’s contentious, slips Anthony Jelonch, also with a smile. But the referee said there was a try, so he knows better than us. »
This decision has annoyed many supporters of the Blues on social networks. But not only, like the former opening half of the England team, Andy Goode. “We often attack the directors of French television for not having shown the right angles or replays, so I am surprised that the TMO (Editor’s note: video arbitration) did not see or show Wayne Barnes the images of the clear touch of the foot of James Lowe on his test, ”he regretted on Twitter.