British and Irish Lions flanker Tom Curry is facing heavy criticism for a scrummaging technique many are calling blatantly illegal following the 28-24 defeat to Argentina.
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Curry played the full 80 in the bruising Test, but several pundits and fans believe he should’ve seen yellow for a moment in the scrum that’s now under the spotlight.
The issue? A controversial move where the flanker pops up into the front row under pressure — a clear no-no in the laws of the game. While Curry won’t be cited for the incident this time, it’s safe to say citing officers will be watching his every scrum from here on out.
A viral post summed it up:
“Another Lions tactic that has been coached, is to have the flank come up into the front row when under pressure in the scrum. Illegal, easy to spot. Yet no repercussions… In fact from these 2 examples, the Lions got a pen try from maul, and Arg got penalised in the scrum!”
Veteran rugby writer Paul Williams didn’t mince words either, highlighting the potential danger:
Another Lions tactic that has been coached, is to have the flank come up into the front row when under pressure in the scrum. Illegal, easy to spot. Yet no repercussions… In fact from these 2 examples, the Lions got a pen try from maul, and Arg got penalised in the scrum! pic.twitter.com/vK6LAf6Z7X
— Front Row Grunt (@FrontRowGrunt) June 21, 2025
“Yup. He’s done it for years. It’s also head-to-head contact on the other flanker.”
And fans agree it’s not just a Lions issue — it’s a Tom Curry special.
“I think that’s a Tom Curry thing, not a Lions thing,” one user wrote. “He’s done it for years for England and Sale. I’m actually amazed he gets away with it — just casually breaking and joining the front row.”
Verdict?
No punishment this time, but the heat is well and truly on Curry. Don’t be surprised if the next time he tries this, the card comes out or a retrospective ban is issued..
“Weak link” – Four Lions players who flopped against Argentina in tour opener
The British and Irish Lions were dealt a brutal reality check in Dublin, falling 33-28 to a fired-up Argentina side in their first match under Andy Farrell — and their first outing on Irish soil.
Farrell’s debut as Lions boss ended in disappointment as his side looked off the pace and out of ideas against a slick Pumas outfit who ran in three cracking tries through Ignacio Mendy, Tomas Albornoz, and Santiago Cordero.
Mendy and the electric Albornoz struck either side of Bundee Aki’s score to give the South Americans a healthy 21-10 lead at the break.
A second-half surge saw the Lions claw back into it with a penalty try and Tadhg Beirne’s effort putting them right in the mix. But Cordero’s blistering counter-attack sealed the deal with 22 minutes to go.
The Lions huffed and puffed in the dying stages, desperate to snatch a win before heading Down Under, but Argentina dug deep to hold them out and seal a famous first-ever win over the tourists.
It’s a nightmare start for Farrell, and the first time the Lions have lost a tour opener since 1971. They now fly out to Australia on Saturday, where Western Force await in Perth on 28 June.
#1. Luke Cowan-Dickie
Planet Rugby 4/10: “Did brilliantly wiggle through the tackles of Joaquin Oviedo and Juan Martin González but split the ball with the line begging. His lineout throws were wayward which severely disrupted the Lions’ flow. He was part of an excellent scrummaging effort, though.”
Rugby Pass 5/10: “A fumble cost him the opening try of the 2025 Lions series off a Lions catch and drive. A few too many lineout howlers from the Cornishman, his Bluetooth connection with Itoje looking a tad unstable.”
JOE 5/10: “An error-strewn performance. Dropped the ball over the line in the first half.”
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