Scotland will be without one of their core starting 15 for the rest of the Six Nations after prop Zander Fagerson was handed a four week suspension for his ‘red card’ challenge against Wales on the 13th of February.
In the 53rd minute, Zander was given an early exit and Scotland were down to 14 men as he was deemed to enter the ruck dangerously and make contact with a Welsh head. Referees have become more and more careful around the officiating of clear-outs and how they are no longer allowed.
Scottish fans believe this is the moment that swayed the game and could have stopped them completely from wining the Six Nations and Triple Crown. Was it the right decision from the referee at the time?
RED CARD 🟥
Zander Fagerson sent off after a dangerous clear out.
Scotland down to 14 men! #SCOvWAL #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/udEw0hKyEL
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 13, 2021
Scotland v Wales – Zander Fagerson red card.
Harsh or fair?#WalvSco #CymvAlb@thepaulwilliams @Steffan_Thomas1 @RhysapWilliam @ShaneWilliams11 @geraint_hardy @WelshCharityVet pic.twitter.com/tq6WLo4htb— 218 Events (@218Events) February 13, 2021
Pictures courtesy of the BBC
Scotland were in the lead and seemed to be cruising before this call with back row Hamish Watson coming out after the game to call the ref’s decision “an absolutely dreadful call” during a press conference.
Hamish Watson believes Zander Fagerson's sending off was "an absolutely dreadful call", says Scotland "chucked away" victory over Wales and insists that the team can beat France. https://t.co/KgMByTX4m3 pic.twitter.com/uZL44bvRai
— STV News (@STVNews) February 14, 2021
The next day he then apologised for his comments and stated player health is ‘paramount’. Do you think he meant what he originally said? Do the Scottish team believe it was the wrong call?
Poor comments from me, emotions were very high after losing a very tight match. Players health is paramount.
— Hamish Watson (@hamishwatson7) February 15, 2021
Zander has been handed a four week suspension because of the challenge and will miss the remainder of the competition, does he deserve a ban of this length or is it too harsh?