Call for lifetime ban for England star
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England centre Manu Tuilagi should ‘never be let on a rugby field again’ following his latest red card offence.
The huge statement was made by Irish critic Neil Francis who launched an extraordinary broadside on Tuilagi after the big England midfielder was banned for four weeks for his no-arms tackle on George North during the 33-30 Six Nations win over Wales at Twickenham.
The committee reduced Tuilagi’s six-week suspension by two weeks to take account of mitigating factors, including good conduct and immediate remorse.
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Writing in the Irish Independent, Francis says Tuilagi should never be allowed return to the rugby field.
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“He has had disciplinary incidents all the way through his career up to the point where he could have taken George North’s head off against Wales.
“I have watched the red-card tackle over and over and I find no comfort or mitigation in what Tuilagi did.”
“The number one thought in his head was to stop George North scoring a try under any circumstances. Legal or not.
“That means that Tuilagi didn’t care about the consequences of an illegal tackle.”
Francis even went as far as suggesting that North could possibly have lost his life as a result of the collision.
“North was prone for a head-to-head or shoulder-to-head and only Henry Slade’s tackle quite possibly saved his life.”
The former Ireland lock wasn’t convinced by the handshake moments later.
“Try and take someone’s head off or leave him permanently incapacitated and then nonchalantly shake hands moments later.
“Tuilagi should never be let on a rugby field again.”
Sources: Rugbypass & Irish Independent
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