There were a few flashpoints at Twickenham in round three of the Six Nations
Social media reacts to a spiky encounter between England and Ireland
It was a superb physical display that saw England overcome Ireland 24-12 in the Six Nations, however the game was punctuated by some heated exchanges, some back-chat, and a whole lot of whooping and hollering.
Fair play, this game unbeatable for levels of petulance
— Alan Dymock (@AlanDymock) February 23, 2020
So what was grinding peoples gears amongst all the niggle? Turns out there were quite a few things that fired people up. And some were loving it, too.
This England v Ireland game is getting proper heated. Love it! #ENGvIRE
— Mounir Ghailan (@M_G_Fitness) February 23, 2020
One of the most natable flashpoints, though, was when Owen Farrell clung to the leg of IReland No 8 CJ Stander, and the Munster back-rower reacted in a physical fashion.
Farrell penalised for this – TMO and ref say no punches and Stander is trying to get away pic.twitter.com/vl3Dn7eSHk
— Jonny Fordham ?? (@SunJonnyFordham) February 23, 2020
Owen Farrell #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/SX2d0gCRqE
— Wicked Foster Child (@fosterpcl) February 23, 2020
And while there were plenty of comedy tweets like the above, some considered the performance of referee Jaco Peyper when it happened.
Great reffing from Peyper there. If someone is holding you like that, you should be entitled to give them a smack to free yourself. What else are you supposed to do? Beg the ref for help?#ENGvIRE
— Duncan Casey (@BigDunc123) February 23, 2020
Ireland get a penalty for stander punching Farrell pic.twitter.com/DgPefapxTX
— Stacey Farnell (@bigstace9) February 23, 2020
#SixNations #ENGvIRE as if that Irish player punched Farrell multiple times and didn't even get spoken to about it! Farrell may have been holding his leg but theres no need to punch!
— Natalie Ayris (@natalieaayris) February 23, 2020
Then there was Itoje’s work. The fearsome lock put in a punishing physical performance, and he was in the thick of things whenever it kicked off.
The best thing about how tetchy Maro Itoje vs James Ryan has been is that we get it all again in the Champions Cup quarter-final on April 4.
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) February 23, 2020
Maro Itoje making a nuisance of himself again pic.twitter.com/usdt8ENCxc
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 23, 2020
However, there were others who appreciated a little aside from the second-row in calming down a team-mate.
Itoje doing his best to stop Sinckler from causing trouble ??? #SixNations #ENGvIRE #GuinnessSixNations #englandrugby pic.twitter.com/URUsrgUyqn
— Gary (@witternewbie) February 23, 2020
What about the backchat, though? Peyper certainly had to do a lot of listening during this Test.
It won't just be Deontay Widler with a burst ear-drum this weekend. Jaco Peyper is getting an absolute barrage from Sexton, Farrell, Sinckler, Youngs, Murray etc etc etc… constant chat to the ref #SixNations
— Will Kelleher (@willgkelleher) February 23, 2020
Imagine having to referee Farrell AND Sexton?!#ENGvIRE #SixNations pic.twitter.com/Bq0hE1Qxqy
— Gavin Curnow (@GavinCurnow) February 23, 2020
Did we miss anything out? Let us know about any incidents that wound you up, either on social media or contact us at rugbyworldletters@ti-media.com
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