Brian O’Driscoll couldn’t believe this decision wasn’t given…

Originally posted on BenchWarmers | By Sean Walker | Last updated 2/11/23

The former Irish player couldn’t believe that Unai Atonio wasn’t shown a red car for his brutal challenge on Rob Herring.

Ireland powered past France at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday and now tops the Six Nation standings after two games.

The game was played at a relentless pace and was everything that fans had hoped it would be, the first half especially.

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But France could’ve and probably should’ve been down a man when Atonio caught Herring on the jaw with a very high tackle. Referee Wayne Barnes decided that it only warranted a yellow and the 24-stone French man was sent to the sin bin.

Speaking in the studio, O’Driscoll disagreed with Barnes’ decision and claimed France was ‘incredibly lucky’.

“If Wayne Barnes did France a disservice on the try, he did them a big service here. He said there was enough force through the shoulder.

“At no point is there any tilt from Atonio, his arm is tucked and it never looked like a wrap.

“[Barnes] said that there is some force through the chest, well Rob Herring has now gone and failed a HIA. I think there is considerable force through his head.

“They are incredibly lucky that that isn’t a red.”

This article first appeared on BenchWarmers and was syndicated with permission.

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