ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

WATCH: Six Nations red card montage highlights recent surge in foul play

BY Shaywaterworth  ·  Friday Sep 3, 2021

A compilation has been put together of all 12 red cards from the entirety of the Six Nations championship since its inception in 2000.

ADVERTISEMENT

The seven-minute video begins with Italian scrum half Alessandro Troncon’s punch on Peter Stringer in 2001 and finishes with Finn Russell’s dismissal during this year’s championship finale against France in Paris.

Of the 12 red cards in the 21-year history of the competition, seven have come in the two most recent tournaments following a crack down on tackle heights.

Scott Murray’s kick out on Ian Gough in 2006 was the second red card in the competition and it took another eight years before a player was dismissed early by the referee.

In 2014 there was a double red for props Michele Rizzo and Rabah Slimani before Scottish full back Stuart Hogg was sent off for a late shoulder charge on Dan Biggar at the Principality Stadium.

It then took another six years before a player was sent off, when Tuilagi hit George North around the head in the dying minutes at Twickenham, sparking a plethora of red cards.

French forward Mohamed Haouas was next to go that year for throwing a hug punch on Scottish flanker Jamie Ritchie before Peter O’Mahony, Zander Fagerson, Bundee Aki, Paul Willemse and Finn Russell were all sent off in this year’s tournament.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 2021 competition therefore has the most red cards by far with an unprecedented five players not finishing a game. A combination of high tackles and illegal clearcuts were largely responsible for the surge in cards while Willemse was deemed to have gouged a Welsh player while clearing him out at a breakdown.

If this year’s competition is anything to go by, we can expect another collection of red cards to plague the 2022 tournament as World Rugby continues to crack down on player welfare.

Related Articles

  • 31 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji Drua player Lomani slapped with ban...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 120 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

View All