‘Absolutely Shocking Decision’ – Four Moments from Ireland’s Win Over England Under the Spotlight

Ireland’s dramatic 27-22 victory over England in the 2025 Six Nations opener was packed with tension, excitement, and moments of controversy. As the Aviva Stadium buzzed with anticipation, Ireland overcame an early deficit to secure the win, but not without a few questionable calls from the referee. Rugby fans on social media have been abuzz with opinions on four key moments during the match that left many scratching their heads.

Some believe these moments went unnoticed, while others are adamant that the decisions were wrong.

Moment One: The Tackle on Tom Curry – Was It a Head Shot? 🤔

Perhaps the most debated moment of the match came in the 59th minute when Ireland’s captain, Caelan Doris, made a crucial tackle on England’s flanker, Tom Curry.

It seemed that Doris’s shoulder made contact with Curry’s head during the challenge, but the New Zealand referee, Ben O'Keeffe, dismissed it as an accidental collision. Despite numerous replays showing the potential for head contact, the decision was made not to penalize Doris, leading to a significant outcry on social media.

Former England back Austin Healey took to X (formerly Twitter) to question the decision, writing, “How is that not a head shot on Curry?” The comments flooded in from fans who were furious with the call.

One frustrated fan tweeted, “Had me absolutely screaming at the TV considering it sounds like the TMO came in and flagged it.” Others echoed the sentiment, with one user labeling it as “Absolutely shocking decision.”

Referees Come Under Fire – Was the Call ‘Disgusting’? 😡

The response from fellow referees only intensified the criticism. Kevin Swindlehurst, a referee himself, stated he was “disgusted” by the lack of a penalty for Doris.

“I’m actually disgusted at the officiating of this game. That’s a high tackle, and to me, it’s a yellow card,” Swindlehurst wrote, adding that while Doris’ tackle could have been mitigated by a change of direction, it was still reckless. Fans and even other referees were baffled by the inconsistency of the decision, with many calling for more accountability.

Second Incident: Ellis Genge’s Clearout – No Clear Head Contact

In the heat of the match, England’s Ellis Genge also found himself in the spotlight for his clearout on Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne. Genge appeared to knock Beirne off the ball in a powerful moment, but again, there was no penalty given. While there was no evident head contact in this instance, fans questioned the consistency of the refereeing as Genge’s actions went unpunished.

Some even argued that the lack of intervention in both situations raised concerns over the quality of officiating.

Maro Itoje’s Foot Stomp on Mack Hansen – A Cheap Shot? 😤

Another moment that caused a stir was when England’s Maro Itoje seemingly stood on Ireland wing Mack Hansen’s foot during a breakdown. The act was caught on camera, and fans quickly condemned the move as unsporting. “Cheap shot,” “no need for it,” and “cowardly stomp” were just a few of the reactions from the rugby community.

One user noted that Itoje, as England’s captain, should have upheld a higher standard of conduct. Thomas P. Moroney added fuel to the fire by tweeting that the incident damaged Itoje’s credibility as a leader. Was it just an accident or a deliberate act to unsettle Hansen?

Marcus Smith vs. James Lowe – A Tense Hit in the Second Half

Finally, tensions boiled over between England’s Marcus Smith and Ireland’s James Lowe. A hit from Smith on Lowe in the second half visibly angered the Irish winger. From a different angle, it became clear why Lowe was upset: Smith’s hit appeared to be much more than just a regular challenge. Fans quickly jumped to Lowe’s defense, criticizing Smith’s actions, and some even accused him of going beyond what was necessary.

Fans Demand Accountability – Was It a Fair Game?

With all these moments under scrutiny, the integrity of the match was called into question. Fans, players, and even referees have expressed their disbelief at some of the decisions that were made throughout the game. Whether it was the Doris tackle, the Genge clearout, Itoje’s foot stomp, or Smith’s hit on Lowe, rugby fans across the globe are demanding more accountability from the officials.

In conclusion, the controversial moments in Ireland’s win over England have sparked a heated debate. The Six Nations may have kicked off with a thrilling encounter, but for many, the real drama came off the field with questionable refereeing decisions. What do you think? Was the refereeing fair, or were these moments missed or mishandled? Share your thoughts with us!