England fans were left fuming as Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong escaped punishment for a head shot on flanker Tom Curry during the Six Nations clash at the Allianz Stadium.<\/b><\/p>\n
The incident occurred in the opening stages of the second half with England trailing the visitors 22-7.<\/p>\n
Curry had fallen awkwardly at a breakdown and was on his knees when Irish<\/a> prop Furlong<\/a> clattered into him with his forearm, hitting the Englishman square in the face.<\/p>\n Curry<\/a> folded backwards, overextending his knees, with Furlong falling on top of him.<\/p>\n Tadhg Furlong escapes punishment<\/p>\n Referee Pierre Brousset, who had replaced Andrea Piardi in the first half after the match official sustained an injury.<\/p>\n \u201cThe players are going in at the same time, it\u2019s dynamic,\u201d the French referee said to England<\/a> captain Maro Itoje, explaining why Furlong was not penalised.<\/p>\n \u201cDid he hit his head?\u201d Itoje interupted.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is not targeting there,\u201d Brousset replied.<\/p>\n \u201cBut did he hit his head?\u201d the captain replied.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no foul play, it\u2019s a rugby collision,\u201d the referee said.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you agree, his head was hit,\u201d Itoje said as the referee pressed for the game<\/a> to continue.<\/p>\n Incredible Ireland shock Twickenham in Six Nations stunner as England embarrassed<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019m out, my body has gone\u2019 \u2013 Shocking scenes as referee injured during England v Ireland Six Nations clash<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The replays of the incident surfaced shortly after Henry Pollock was sent to the sin bin after he was deemed to have committed a cynical foul close to his try line.<\/p>\n Ireland quickly capitalised with Dan Sheehan powering over for what was the bonus point try.<\/p>\n Was this a rugby collision?<\/p>\n Maro Itoje argues that Tadhg Furlong makes contact with Tom Curry\u2019s head pic.twitter.com\/RgXLhcLksK<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Fans outrage<\/p>\n Outraged England fans took to social media to express their dismay in the decision from the officials.<\/p>\n \u201cFeels salty to criticise the ref at this stage. That should be a card for Furlong all day long,\u201d Rugby Inside Line posted.<\/p>\n While Matthew Leggett stated that \u201csurely\u201d warranted a red card for the Irish prop, adding: \u201cIncredibly dangerous clear-out, straight into Curry\u2019s head, could have broken his neck?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCrazy that in an age of TMO there wasn\u2019t a yellow for Furlong,\u201d another fan wrote.<\/p>\n One supporter was just as perplexed as Itoje. \u201cWhy is Furlong allowed to snap Curry\u2019s head back like that by the neck, and it isn\u2019t foul play or a yellow?\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n Another added: \u201cWhy is the Irishman allowed to decapitate Curry and get away with it?\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE:\u00a0<\/b>England v Ireland: Andy Farrell dealt late hammer blow but continues to back brave bench call<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n